Foldable display device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes two housing structures, a hinge structure, and a flexible display, the hinge structure includes a first saw-toothed spur gear, a second saw-toothed spur gear, a third saw-toothed spur gear, a fourth saw-toothed spur gear, a first guide structure fixed to the first housing structure and rotated by the gears, and a second guide structure fixed to the second housing structure and rotated in an opposite direction of the first guide structure, the first guide structure is rotated about a first axis formed from a bottom surface of the flexible display upwards, and the second guide structure is rotated about a second axis that is spaced apart from the first axis and is formed from the bottom surface of the flexible display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 17/750,919, filed on May 23, 2022, which is a continuationapplication of prior application Ser. No. 17/313,399, filed on May 6,2021, which has issued on as U.S. Pat. No. 11,340,663 on May 24, 2022,which is a continuation application of prior application Ser. No.16/990,369, filed on Aug. 11, 2020, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No.11,061,445 on Jul. 13, 2021, which is a continuation application ofprior application Ser. No. 16/199,743, filed on Nov. 26, 2018, which hasissued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,775,852 on Sep. 15, 2020 and is based on andclaims priority under U.S.C § 119(a) of a Korean Patent Applicationnumber 10-2018-0023001, filed on Feb. 26, 2018, and of a Korean PatentApplication number 10-2017-0159793, filed on Nov. 28, 2017, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of each of which isincorporated by reference herein its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to a foldable display device.

2. Description of Related Art

A portable electronic device, such as a smartphone, may provide variousfunctions, such as voice communication, playback of videos, and searchthrough the internet, based on various kinds of applications. The usermay intend to use the above-mentioned functions through a wider screen.However, as the screen becomes larger, portability may deteriorate.Accordingly, according to the related art, a foldable portableelectronic device that may enhance portability by utilizing a foldablestructure as illustrated in FIG. 23 has been suggested.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating an example of a foldable electronicdevice according to the related art.

Referring to FIG. 23 , the foldable electronic device according to therelated art may include a display 2360, housings 2311 and 2312, andhinge parts 2321 and 2322.

The display 2360 is configured such that the center of the display 2360is foldable. The housings 2311 and 2312 are configured to surround anoutskirt of the display 2360, and electronic elements related to drivingof the display 2360 may be positioned in the interiors of the housings2311 and 2312. The hinge parts 2321 and 2322 are disposed at the centrallateral sides of the housings 2311 and 2312 to support the first housing2311 and the second housing 2312 while the display 2360 is unfolded to180 degrees or is folded to 0 degrees again.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination hasbeen made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

The above-mentioned foldable electronic device according to the relatedart may have a structure in which the hinge parts 2321 and 2322 aredisposed on side surfaces of the central seam of the first housing 2311and the second housing 2312. Then, because the centers of rotation ofthe hinge parts 2321 and 2322 are located below the display while thehinge parts 2321 and 2322 support the first housing 2311 and the secondhousing 2312, the display is introduced into the housings when beingfolded. Accordingly, because the hinge parts 2321 and 2311 cannot belocated below the display and accordingly are disposed on side surfacesof the display to have a specific width or more and a specific extent ormore, partial areas (e.g., bezels) of the housings, which surround anoutskirt of the display 2360 may unnecessarily increase.

Further, according to the foldable electronic device according to therelated art, it is difficult to deal with the external appearance of theelectronic device when the change of the extended length of the displayis coped with by multiple joints.

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to providea foldable display device that may minimize the size of a bezel area bydisposing a hinge structure below a display.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a foldable display devicethat may make an external appearance thereof appealing through one hingehousing.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device isprovided. The electronic device includes a housing including a firsthousing structure and a second housing structure, wherein the firsthousing structure includes a first surface and a second surface that isopposite to the first surface, wherein the second housing structureincludes a third surface and a fourth surface that is opposite to thethird surface, and wherein the first housing structure and the secondhousing structure are foldable with respect to each other, and the thirdsurface faces the first surface in a folded state and the first surfaceand the third surface may face the same direction in an unfolded state,a hinge structure connecting a first peripheral part of the firsthousing structure to a second peripheral part of the second housingstructure, and a flexible display layer extending across at least aportion of the first surface and at least a portion of the third surfaceand being foldable in the first peripheral part and the secondperipheral part or an adjacent area of the first peripheral part and thesecond peripheral part, wherein the hinge structure includes a firstshaft including a first saw-toothed spur gear that rotates about a firstaxis that is parallel to the first surface, a second shaft including asecond saw-toothed spur gear that rotates about a second axis that isparallel to the first axis, a third saw-toothed spur gear engaged withthe first saw-toothed spur gear to be rotatable, a fourth saw-toothedspur gear engaged with the second saw-toothed spur gear and the thirdsaw-toothed spur gear to be rotatable, a first guide structure fixed tothe first housing structure and including a first curved opening havinga first saw-toothed inner spur gear that is engaged with the firstsaw-toothed spur gear and is not engaged with any one of the secondsaw-toothed spur gear, the third saw-toothed spur gear, and the fourthsaw-toothed spur gear, and configured to rotate about a third axis (or afirst imaginary axis) that is parallel to the first axis, and a secondguide structure fixed to the second housing structure and including asecond curved opening having a second saw-toothed inner spur gear thatis engaged with the second saw-toothed spur gear and is not engaged withany one of the first saw-toothed spur gear, the third saw-toothed spurgear, and the fourth saw-toothed spur gear, and configured to rotateabout a fourth axis (or a second imaginary axis) that is parallel to thefirst axis and offset from the first imaginary axis.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a foldable displaydevice is provided. The foldable display device includes a firsthousing, a second housing, a display disposed on the first housing andthe second housing, a hinge structure coupled to a side of the firsthousing and a side of the second housing and disposed under the display,and a hinge housing surrounding the hinge structure, wherein the hingestructure includes center brackets having an semielliptical shape, afirst inner bracket gear configured to be rotatable along a first curvethrough a first main gear on first sides of the center brackets, and asecond inner bracket gear configured to be rotatable along a secondcurve through a second main gear on second sides opposite to the firstsides of the center brackets.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a foldable displaydevice is provided. The foldable display device includes a display, afirst housing supporting an upper area or an area of one side of thecenter of the display, a second housing supporting a lower area or anarea of another side opposite to said one side of the center of thedisplay, and a hinge structure disposed between the first housing andthe second housing and configured to be coupled to the first housing andthe second housing and disposed under the display, wherein the hingestructure has a first rotation axis (or a first imaginary rotation axis)about which the first housing is rotated and a second rotation axis (ora second imaginary rotation axis) about which the second housing isrotated, wherein the first rotation axis and the second rotation axisare spaced apart from a bottom surface of the display by a specificheight.

The foldable display device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure may minimize a bezel area that surround a display while ahinge structure is disposed under the display. In correspondence, thefoldable display device of the disclosure may maximize the extent of thedisplay as compared with the size of the display.

Further, the foldable display device according to various embodimentsmay have an appealing external appearance.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of an external appearance of afoldable display device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a hinge state of a foldabledisplay device according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a coupling state of ahousing and a cover of a foldable display device according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable display deviceaccording to various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of an exploded perspective viewof a hinge structure of a foldable display device according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a coupling state of a hinge structure of afoldable display device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a rotation state of a hinge structure of afoldable display device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example of forms of elements related tocenter brackets of a foldable display device according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are views illustrating an example of operationstates of center brackets and inner bracket gears of a hinge structureaccording to various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an example of a rivet coupling form of ahinge structure according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an example of formation of a rivet of ahinge structure according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an example of a magnetic member of ahinge structure according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an example of coupling of a hingestructure and a hinge housing according to various embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example of coupling of a hingestructure, a hinge housing, and housings according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an example of a coupling process of partsof a hinge structure, a hinge housing, and housings according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an example of a first folding angle stateof a housing and a hinge structure according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating an example of a coupling form of adisplay and a housing of a foldable display device according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating an example of a housing and a coverstructure of a foldable display device according to various embodimentsof the disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating an example of a structure of anelectronic device including a first plate according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating an example of a structure of anelectronic device including a second plate according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating an example of a structure of anelectronic device including a third plate according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a networkenvironment according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating an example of a foldable electronicdevice according to the related art;

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating an example of a first type hinge housingof a foldable display device and a configuration of the foldable displaydevice according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a folding state of a foldable displaydevice including a first type hinge housing according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating various states related to a centralportion of a foldable display device including a first type hingehousing according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a view illustrating unfolding states for specific angles of afoldable display device including a first type hinge housing accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a view illustrating folding states for specific angles of afoldable display device including a first type hinge housing accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating various states of a foldable displaydevice including a second type hinge housing according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a view illustrating unfolding states for specific angles of afoldable display device including a second type hinge housing accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a view illustrating folding states for specific angles of afoldable display device including a second type hinge housing accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a view illustrating an example of a foldable display deviceincluding a third type hinge housing according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 33 is a view illustrating a central portion of a foldable displaydevice including a second type hinge housing according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 34 is a view illustrating an unfolding state of a foldable displaydevice including a second type hinge housing according to variousembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable display deviceincluding a third type hinge housing according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable display deviceincluding a third type hinge housing according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 37 is a view illustrating an example of a foldable display deviceincluding an impact absorbing part according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 38 is a view illustrating an example of a foldable display devicehaving a shield structure according to various embodiments of thedisclosure; and

FIG. 39 is a view illustrating another example of a foldable displaydevice having a shield structure according to various embodiments of thedisclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of thedisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of thedisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

In the disclosure, the expressions “have,” “may have,” “include” and“comprise,” or “may include” and “may comprise” used herein indicateexistence of corresponding features (e.g., components such as numericvalues, functions, operations, or parts) but do not exclude presence ofadditional features.

In the disclosure, the expressions “A or B,” “at least one of A or/andB,” or “one or more of A or/and B,” and the like may include any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example,the term “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” or “at least one of A orB” may refer to all of the case (1) where at least one A is included,the case (2) where at least one B is included, or the case (3) whereboth of at least one A and at least one B are included.

The terms, such as “first,” “second,” and the like used in thedisclosure may be used to refer to various components regardless of theorder and/or the priority and to distinguish the relevant componentsfrom other components, but do not limit the components. For example, “afirst user device” and “a second user device” indicate different userdevices regardless of the order or priority. For example, withoutdeparting the scope of the disclosure, a first component may be referredto as a second component, and similarly, a second component may bereferred to as a first component.

It will be understood that when an element (for example, a firstelement) is referred to as being “(operatively or communicatively)coupled with/to” or “connected to” another element (for example, asecond element), it can be directly coupled with/to or connected to theother element or an intervening element (for example, a third element)may be. In contrast, when an element (for example, a first element) isreferred to as being “directly coupled with/to” or “directly connectedto” another element (for example, a second element), it should beunderstood that there are no intervening element (for example, a thirdelement).

According to the situation, the expression “configured to” used hereinmay be used as, for example, the expression “suitable for,” “having thecapacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of”The term “configured to (or set to)” must not mean only “specificallydesigned to” in hardware. Instead, the expression “a device configuredto” may mean that the device is “capable of” operating together withanother device or other components. CPU, for example, a “processorconfigured to (or set to) perform A, B, and C” may mean a dedicatedprocessor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing a correspondingoperation or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processingunit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)) which may performcorresponding operations by executing one or more software programswhich are stored in a memory device.

Terms used in this specification are used to describe specifiedembodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe disclosure. The terms of a singular form may include plural formsunless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise defined herein, all theterms used herein, which include technical or scientific terms, may havethe same meaning that is generally understood by a person skilled in theart. It will be further understood that terms, which are defined in adictionary and commonly used, should also be interpreted as is customaryin the relevant related art and not in an idealized or overly formalformat unless expressly so defined herein in various embodiments of thedisclosure. In some cases, even if terms are terms which are defined inthe specification, they may not be interpreted to exclude embodiments ofthe t disclosure.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosuremay include at least one of smartphones, tablet personal computers(PCs), mobile phones, video telephones, electronic book readers, desktopPCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations, servers, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), MP3players, mobile medical devices, cameras, and wearable devices.According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the wearable devicesmay include accessories (for example, watches, rings, bracelets, anklebracelets, glasses, contact lenses, or head-mounted devices (HMDs)),cloth-integrated types (for example, electronic clothes), body-attachedtypes (for example, skin pads or tattoos), or implantable types (forexample, implantable circuits).

Hereinafter, electronic devices according to an embodiment of thedisclosure will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The term “user” used herein may refer to a person who uses anelectronic device or may refer to a device (e.g., an artificialelectronic device) that uses an electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of an external appearance of afoldable display device (or foldable flexible display device, orflexible display device) according to various embodiments of thedisclosure. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a hinge state ofa foldable display device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a coupling stateof a housing and a cover of a foldable display device according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , a foldable flexible display device 100according to an embodiment may include a first housing 110 (or a firstframe, a first bracket, or a first case), a second housing 120 (or asecond frame, a second bracket, or a second case), a display 50 (e.g., aflexible display), a first cover 130, a second cover 140, and a hingehousing 150 (or a hinge frame, a hinge bracket, or a hinge case) inwhich a hinge structure is disposed. Referring to FIG. 1 , state 101corresponds to a view illustrating a front surface of the foldableflexible display device 100 in a flat state (or an unfolding state or astate in which an angle of a central portion of the display 50 is 0degrees or 180 degrees), state 103 corresponds to a view illustratingone side surface of the foldable flexible display device 100 in the flatstate, and state 105 corresponds to a view illustrating a rear surfaceof the foldable flexible display device 100 in the flat state. Referringto FIG. 2 , state 201 corresponds to a perspective view illustrating afront surface of the foldable flexible display device 100 in the flatstate, state 203 corresponds to a view illustrating a rear surface ofthe foldable flexible display device 100 in the flat state, and states205 and 207 correspond to views illustrating front and rear surfaces ofthe foldable flexible display device 100 in a folding state. Referringto FIG. 3 , an unfolding state 107 corresponds to a view illustrating arear surface of the foldable flexible display device 100 in the flatstate, and state 109 corresponds to a view illustrating a state in whicha cover on the rear surface of the foldable flexible display device 100is removed in the flat state.

According to various embodiments, the first housing 110 may be disposedto be continuous with the second housing 120 (e.g., when the display 50is unfolded to be flat) or may be disposed to be parallel to (or toface) the second housing 120 (e.g., when the display 50 is folded)according to the disposition of the first housing 110. The first housing110, for example, may be at least partially formed of a metallicmaterial or a nonmetallic material, and may have a specific strength tosupport the display 50. At least a portion of an upper area 51 and acentral area 52 of the display 50 may be disposed at a portion of thefront surface of the first housing 110. At least a portion of the insideof the first housing 110 may be provided such that the interior thereofis empty or may be provided such that the interior thereof is emptyafter the first housing 110 is coupled to the first cover 130 so thatelectronic elements (e.g., a printed circuit board, a battery, and thelike) that are necessary for driving the display 50 may be disposed inthe empty space. According to various embodiments, the first housing 110may be configured such that an upper end of the first housing 110surrounds an upper periphery of the display 50.

According to various embodiments, the second housing 120 may be disposedto be continuous with the first housing 110 (e.g., when the display 50is unfolded to be flat) or may be disposed to be parallel to the firsthousing 110 (e.g., when the central portion of the display 50 is folded)according to the disposition of the first housing 110. The secondhousing 120 may be formed of the same material as the first housing 110.As the second housing 120 is configured to be symmetrical vertically tothe first housing 110, a lower area 53 and a lower portion of a centralarea 52 of the display 50 may be disposed on the front surface of thesecond housing 120. At least a portion of the inside of the secondhousing 120 may be configured such that the interior thereof is emptysimilarly to the first housing 110 or may be configured such that theinterior thereof is empty after the second housing 120 is coupled to thesecond cover 140 so that electronic elements that are necessary fordriving the display 50 may be disposed. According to variousembodiments, the second housing 120 may be configured such that a lowerend of the second housing 120 surrounds a lower side of the display 50.

According to various embodiments, the hinge housing 150 may be coveredby one side of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 or beexposed to the outside according to a folding state of the foldableflexible display device 100. For example, as illustrated in states 201and 203, when the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 aredisposed vertically to be continuous with each other, the hinge housing150 may be covered by the first housing 110 and the second housing 120.As illustrated in states 205 and 207, when the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120 are disposed to face each other, the hinge housing150 may be disposed to be exposed to the outside from sides of the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120. The thickness (e.g., the Z axisthickness of FIG. 2 ) of the hinge housing 150 is similar to or smallerthan the thickness defined by the first cover 130 and the first housing110 or the thickness defined by the second cover 140 and the secondhousing 120 so that a friction may be prevented from being generatedbetween the hinge housing 150 and the covers 130 and 140 during a hingeoperation.

According to various embodiments, a first housing 110 (or a firsthousing structure, or a first frame structure) may include a firstsurface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface, anda second housing 120 (or a second housing structure, or a second framestructure) may include a third surface and a fourth surface that isopposite to the third surface. The first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120 may be folded with respect to each other, and at least aportion of the third surface faces the first surface in a folding stateand the first surface and the third surface may face the same directionin an unfolding state. The hinge structure may connect a firstperipheral part of the first housing 110 and a second peripheral part ofthe second housing 120. The display 50 (or a flexible display layer) mayextend across at least a portion of the first surface and at least aportion of the third surface and may be folded in the first peripheralpart and the second peripheral part or an adjacent area of the firstperipheral part and the second peripheral part.

According to various embodiments, the display 50 may include an upperarea 51, a central area 52, and a lower area 53 that are continuous. Thecentral area 52 may include a specific area that is located at an innercentral portion of the central area 52 while the display 50 is folded.The upper area 51 may be attached and fixed to the first housing 110.The lower area 53 may be attached and fixed to the second housing 120.The central area 52 may be disposed not to be fixed (or attached) to thefirst housing 110 and the second housing 120. Accordingly, while thedisplay 50 is folded or unfolded, the central area 52 may move becauseit is not fixed onto the first housing 110 and the second housing 120.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the firstcover 130 may be disposed to cover the first housing 110 on the rearsurface of the first housing 110. The first cover 130 may be disposed tocover a portion of the hinge housing (e.g., an upper end portion of thehinge housing) disposed between the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120. The corners of the first cover 130 may be rounded. Thefirst cover 130 may have an empty interior or may form an empty spacewith the first housing 110 while being coupled to the first housing 110.For example, the first cover 130 may have a structure in which arectangular bottom surface and side walls at an upper end or left andright sides of the bottom surface are formed.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in state 107 of FIG. 3, the second cover 140 may be disposed to cover the second housing 120on the rear surface of the second housing 120 below the first cover 130.The second cover 140 may be disposed to cover a remaining part of thehinge housing (e.g., a lower end of the hinge housing), a portion ofwhich is covered by the first cover 130. The corners of the second cover140 may be rounded similarly to the first cover 130. The second cover140 may have an empty interior or may form an empty space with thesecond housing 120 while being coupled to the second housing 120. Inthis regard, the second cover 140 may have a structure in which arectangular bottom surface and side walls at a lower end and left andright sides of the bottom surface are formed.

According to various embodiments, the foldable flexible display device100 may be configured such that the display 50 may be unfolded while thefirst housing 110 and the second housing 120 are disposed vertically tobe continuous as illustrated in states 201 and 203 or such that thedisplay 50 may be folded while the front surface (e.g., the firstsurface) of the first housing 110 and the front surface (a surface onwhich the display 50 is disposed or the third surface) of the secondhousing 120 are folded with respect to each other to face each otherinwards. The foldable flexible display device 100 according to anembodiment may minimize bezels of the housings 110 and 120 because thehinge structure is disposed below the display 50. For example, ifnecessary, the foldable flexible display device 100 according to anembodiment may be configured such that a side surface bezel thereof isremoved.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable display deviceaccording to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a foldable flexible display device 100 accordingto an embodiment may include a display 50, a first housing 110, a secondhousing 120, a printed circuit board 170, a battery 180, a hingestructure 300 (or a hinge unit, a hinge part, or a hinge module), ahinge housing 150, a first cover 130, and a second cover 140.

According to various embodiments, the display 50, the first housing 110,the second housing 120, the hinge housing 150, the first cover 130, andthe second cover 140 may have substantially the same forms or functionsas those of the display, the first housing, the second housing, thehinge housing, the first cover, and the second cover, which have beendescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .

According to various embodiments, the printed circuit board 170 may bedisposed between the first housing 110 and the first cover 130.Alternatively, the printed circuit board 170 may be disposed between thesecond housing 120 and the second cover 140. Alternatively, a pluralityof printed circuit boards 170 may be provided, and at least one of theprinted circuit boards 170 may be disposed at at least one of betweenthe first housing 110 and the first cover 130 and between the secondhousing 120 and the second cover 140. Various electronic elements thatare necessary for driving of the foldable flexible display device 100may be disposed in the printed circuit board 170. For example, at leastone processor, a memory, a communication circuit, an antenna, amicrophone, a speaker, a camera, or the like may be mounted in theprinted circuit board 170.

According to various embodiments, the battery 180 may be disposedbetween the second housing 120 and the second cover 140. The battery 180may supply electric power that is necessary for driving of the foldableflexible display device 100. According to an embodiment, the battery 180may supply electric power to the printed circuit board disposed betweenthe first housing 110 and the first cover 130 through a wire provided onone side of the hinge housing 150.

According to various embodiments, at least one hinge structure 300 maybe positioned in and fixed to the hinge housing 150. Although a form inwhich one hinge structure 300 is disposed has been exemplified in theillustrated drawings, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Forexample, a larger number of hinge structures may be disposed accordingto the size of the foldable flexible display device. The hinge structure300 may include inner bracket gears that rotate in opposite directionsby an external pressure with respect to center brackets (or centralbodies) that fix main gears (e.g., saw-toothed spur gears or saw-toothedinner spur gears) disposed at the center of the hinge structure 300, andbracket housings.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of an exploded perspective viewof a hinge structure of a foldable display device according to variousembodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a couplingstate of a hinge structure of a foldable display device according tovarious embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , at least a portion of a hinge structure 300according to an embodiment may include a first bracket housing 310,first housing washer rings 301 and 303, a first plate spring 302, afirst inner bracket gear 320, a first gear washer ring 304, a firstcenter bracket 330, a first main gear 341 (e.g., a saw-toothed spurgear), a first shaft gear 351 (e.g., a saw-toothed spur gear), a secondshaft gear 352 (e.g., a saw-toothed spur gear), a second main gear 342(e.g., a saw-toothed spur gear), a second center bracket 360, a secondgear washer ring 309, a second inner bracket gear 370, a second platespring 307, second housing washer rings 306 and 308, and a secondbracket housing 380.

According to various embodiments, the first bracket housing 310 may bedisposed adjacently to the first inner bracket gear 320 and may be fixedto the first inner bracket gear 320. For example, at least oneprotuberance is provided on a right side of the first bracket housing310, and the at least one protuberance may be inserted into and fixed toa recess provided in the first inner bracket gear 320. The first brackethousing 310 may have an arc-shaped cross-section having a specificincluded angle (e.g., the right angle). An upper end of the firstbracket housing 310, for example, may be coupled (e.g., screw-coupled)to the second housing 120. A side of the first bracket housing 310 maybe coupled (e.g., magnet-coupled) to the first housing 110. Accordingly,the first bracket housing 310 may rotate while the second housing 120performs a hinge operation, and may be magnet-coupled to the firsthousing 110 while the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 aredisposed in parallel. The first bracket housing 310 may be separatedfrom the first housing 110 while the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120 contact each other. A curved part of the first brackethousing 310 may be disposed to face the interior of the hinge housing150. Although the first bracket housing 310 may be formed of a material(e.g., a metallic material) having a specific strength, the firstbracket housing 310 of the disclosure is not limited by the material.

According to various embodiments, the first housing washer rings 301 and303 may be disposed between the first bracket housing 310 and the firstinner bracket gear 320. The first plate spring 302 may be disposedbetween the first housing washer rings 301 and 303. The first housingwasher rings 301 and 303 and the first plate spring 302 may be fixed tothe first inner bracket gear 320 by a rivet. According to variousembodiments, the rivet may be replaced by another fixing member, such asa nut or an E-shaped ring. The first housing washer rings 301 and 303and the first plate spring 302 may be positioned in a recess provided onone side of the first inner bracket gear 320. At least one hole thatpasses through the first inner bracket gear 320 may be provided insidethe recess. A portion of the first main gear 341 that passes through thefirst center bracket 330 and the second center bracket 360 may bedisposed in the at least one hole.

According to various embodiments, the first bracket housing 310 may befixed to a first side (e.g., the left side of FIG. 6 ) of the firstinner bracket gear 320, and the first center bracket 330 may be disposedon a second side (e.g., the right side of FIG. 6 ). The first innerbracket gear 320 may rotate along a side surface of the first centerbracket 330. The first inner bracket gear 320 may have a semi-ellipticalshape, and an internal gear engaged with the first main gear 341 may beprovided inside the first inner bracket gear 320. The internal gear mayhave a semi-elliptical arc shape. The material of the first innerbracket gear 320 may be a metallic material of a specific strength. Forexample, the first inner bracket gear 320 may be formed of the samematerial as that of the first bracket housing 310. The material of thefirst inner bracket gear 320, which is described in various embodiments,are not limited to the above-mentioned metallic material.

According to various embodiments, the first gear washer ring 304 may bedisposed between the first inner bracket gear 320 and the first centerbracket 330. For example, the first gear washer ring 304 may bepositioned in a recess (or a hole) provided in the first center bracket330. One side of the second main gear 342 that passes through the firstcenter bracket 330 and the second center bracket 360 may be insertedinto the first gear washer ring 304.

According to various embodiments, the first center bracket 330 may bedisposed between the first inner bracket gear 320 and the second centerbracket 360. The first center bracket 330 may be larger than the firstinner bracket gear 320, and may have a semielliptical shape. A hole,into which a portion of the first main gear 341 is inserted, and a hole,into which a portion of the second main gear 342 is inserted, may bedisposed in the first center bracket 330. A hole extending verticallymay be disposed at the center of the first center bracket 330 (e.g.,from the center of a flat upper end to a lower end of the semiellipticalshape). A boss provided in the hinge housing 150 may be inserted intothe vertically extending hole.

According to various embodiments, the first main gear 341 (or a firstshaft) may pass through the first center bracket 330 and the secondcenter bracket 360. One side of the first main gear 341 may be disposedin an internal gear provided in the first inner bracket gear 320. Thefirst main gear 341 may protrude to the left side of the first innerbracket gear 320. The first main gear 341 may include a first leftthrough-part 341 a that passes through the first housing washer rings301 and 303 and the first plate spring 302, a first gear pattern part341 b which is continuous with the first left through-part 341 a, oneside of which is engaged with the internal gear of the first innerbracket gear 320, and another side opposite to said one side of which isenmeshed with the first shaft gear 351, and a first right through-part341 c which passes through a hole provided in the second center bracket360 and with which the second gear washer ring 309 is fitted (orinserted). The first left through-part 341 a, the first gear patternpart 341 b, and the first right through-part 341 c of the first maingear 341 are classified according to functions and locations thereof,and the first left through-part 341 a, the first gear pattern part 341b, and the first right through-part 341 c of the first main gear 341 mayhave a continuous structure.

According to various embodiments, one side of the first shaft gear 351may be enmeshed with the gear pattern part provided in the first maingear 341, and another side opposite to said one side of the first shaftgear 351 may be enmeshed with the second shaft gear 352. Accordingly,while the first main gear 341 rotates, the first shaft gear 351 maytransmit a rotational force to the second shaft gear 352. The firstshaft gear 351 may be disposed inside a cavity formed when the firstcenter bracket 330 and the second center bracket 360 are coupled to eachother.

According to various embodiments, one side of the second shaft gear 352may be enmeshed with the gear pattern part provided in the second maingear 342, and another side opposite to said one side of the second shaftgear 352 may be enmeshed with the first shaft gear 351. The second shaftgear 352 may transmit a rotational force to the first shaft gear 351while the second main gear 342 rotates. The second shaft gear 352 may bedisposed inside a cavity formed when the first center bracket 330 andthe second center bracket 360 are coupled to each other. According tovarious embodiments, in order to reduce the thickness of a set of thedisplay device, the sizes and the numbers of the idle gears (e.g., thefirst shaft gears 351 and the second shaft gears 352) may be changed.

Accordingly, the display device of the disclosure is not limited by thenumber and sizes of the shaft gears. For example, the first shaft gear351 and the second shaft gear 352 may have a specific small size or lessto reduce the thickness of the set of the display device. Accordingly,the display device may have a hinge structure including two first shaftgears and two second shaft gears. The size of the two first shaft gearsor the two second shaft gears may be a half of the one first shaft gearor the one second shaft gear. Alternatively, the hinge structure of thedisplay device may include three first shaft gears and three secondshaft gears.

According to various embodiments, the second main gear 342 (or a secondshaft) may have a form that is substantially the same as that of thefirst main gear 341, and, for example, may include a second rightthrough-part 342 c which passes through a right side of the second innerbracket gear 370 and with which the second housing washer rings 306 and308 and the second plate spring 307 are fitted, a second gear patternpart 342 b, one side of which is enmeshed with an internal gear of thesecond inner bracket gear 370 and another side opposite to said one sideof which is enmeshed with the second shaft gear, and a second leftthrough-part 342 a, which passes through the hole provided in the firstcenter bracket 330 and with which the first gear washer ring 304 isfitted. The leftward or rightward direction of the above-mentionedthrough-parts is with reference to the illustrated drawings, and may bedifferently named according to the change of the disposition direction.

According to various embodiments, the second center bracket 360 may bedisposed between the first center bracket 330 and the second innerbracket gear 370. The second center bracket 360 has a shape (e.g., asemielliptical shape that is larger than the second inner bracket gear370) that is substantially the same as the first center bracket 330. Thesecond center bracket 360 may have a through-hole, through which thefirst main gear 341 and the second main gear 342 passes. The secondcenter bracket 360 has a hole that vertically extends from the flatupper end to the lower end thereof for boss-coupling of the hingehousing 150.

According to various embodiments, the second gear washer ring 309 may bepositioned in a recess provided in the second center bracket 360 whilebeing coupled to an end of the first left through-part 341 c of thefirst main gear.

According to various embodiments, the second inner bracket gear 370 maybe disposed between the second center bracket 360 and the second brackethousing 380. The shape and the material of the second inner bracket gear370 may be substantially the same as the shape and the material of thefirst inner bracket gear 320, which have been described above. Forexample, the second inner bracket gear 370 may have a size that issmaller than that of the second center bracket 360, and may have asemielliptical shape. An internal gear that is enmeshed with the secondmain gear 342 may be disposed in a specific area of the second innerbracket gear 370.

According to various embodiments, the second housing washer rings 306and 308 and the second plate spring 307 may be positioned in a recess(or a hole) provided on one side of the second inner bracket gear 370and may be coupled to the second right through-part 342 c of the secondmain gear 342. The second plate spring 307 may be disposed between thesecond housing washer rings 306 and 308 to apply a leftward/rightwardelastic force to the second housing washer rings 306 and 308.

According to various embodiments, the second bracket housing 380 mayhave substantially the same shape and material as the first brackethousing 310, and may be disposed to be opposite to the first brackethousing 310. For example, the second bracket housing 380 may be fixed toone side of the second inner bracket gear 370. The second brackethousing 380 may include a curved part, an outer peripheral surface ofwhich has a specific curvature. An upper end of the ends of the curvedpart may be coupled (e.g., screw-coupled) to the first housing 110. Aside of the ends of the curved part may be coupled (e.g.,magnet-coupled) to the second housing 120.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a rotation state of a hinge structure of afoldable display device according to various embodiments of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7 , the hinge structure 300 according to anembodiment may be disposed such that side surfaces (e.g., a right sideof the first center bracket 330 and a left side of the second centerbracket 360 with reference to the drawing) of the first center bracket330 and the second center bracket 360 face each other. The first maingear 341 may pass through holes of the holes of the first center bracket330 and the second center bracket 360, which are provided on the lowerside of FIG. 7 . One side of the first gear pattern part 341 b of thefirst main gear 341 may be enmeshed with the internal gear of the firstinner bracket gear 320. The second main gear 342 may passes throughholes of the holes of the first center bracket 330 and the second centerbracket 360, which are provided on the upper side of FIG. 7 , and oneside of the second gear pattern part 342 b of the second main gear 342may be enmeshed with the internal gear of the second inner bracket gear370. The first bracket housing 310 may be coupled to the left side ofthe first inner bracket gear 320, and the second bracket housing 380 maybe coupled to the right side of the second inner bracket gear 370.

According to various embodiments, an external pressure may be applied tothe first housing 110 or the second housing 120 with reference to astate in which the first bracket housing 310 is coupled to the secondhousing 120 and the second bracket housing 380 is coupled to the firsthousing 110 so that the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 maybe folded in a direction in which they face each other. In this case, asillustrated, the first bracket housing 310 and the first inner bracketgear 320 may be rotated by a first angle (e.g., 90 degrees) in a firstdirection from an initial state with respect to the first center bracket330. Similarly, the second bracket housing 380 and the second innerbracket gear 370 may be rotated by a first angle (e.g., 90 degrees) in asecond direction from the initial state with respect to the secondcenter bracket 360. The first direction and the second direction may beopposite to each other.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an example of forms of elements related tocenter brackets of a foldable display device according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8 , as mentioned above, the hinge structure 300according to an embodiment may include a first bracket housing 310, afirst inner bracket gear 320, a first center bracket 330, a secondcenter bracket 360, a second inner bracket gear 370, and a secondbracket housing 380.

In the illustrated drawing, state 801 corresponds to a view illustratingonly the center brackets 330 and 360, the main gears 341 and 342, andthe shaft gears 351 and 352. The first main gear 341 and the second maingear 342 may pass through the first center bracket 330 and the secondcenter bracket 360.

According to various embodiments, state 803 corresponds to a view takenalong B-B′ in state 801. As illustrated, the first shaft gear 351enmeshed with the first main gear 341 and the second shaft gear 352enmeshed with the second main gear 342 and the first shaft gear 351 maybe disposed in a central cavity formed when the center brackets 330 and360 are coupled to each other. In the above-mentioned structure, if thefirst main gear 341 may be rotated in a first direction (e.g., theclockwise direction), the first shaft gear 351 may be rotated in asecond direction (e.g., the counterclockwise direction), the secondshaft gear 352 enmeshed with the first shaft gear 351 may be in turnrotated in the first direction, and the second main gear 342 enmeshedwith the second shaft gear 352 may be rotated in the second direction.As mentioned above, the first main gear 341 and the second main gear 342may be rotated in opposite directions within a limited range by thefirst shaft gear 351 and the second shaft gear 352.

According to various embodiments, state 805 corresponds to a viewillustrating outskirts of the first center bracket 330 and the secondcenter bracket 360 in more detail. For example, a first left rail 331and a second left rail 332 may be formed on one side surface (e.g., aleft surface) of the first center bracket 330. A portion of an outerperipheral surface of the first inner bracket gear 320 may be positionedon the first left rail 331, and the first left rail 331 functions toguide rotation of the outer peripheral surface of the first innerbracket gear 320 while the first inner bracket gear 320 rotates. Aportion of a protuberance provided at a semicircular central portion ofthe first inner bracket gear 320 may be positioned on the second leftrail 332, and the second left rail 332 functions to guide rotation ofthe protuberance of the central portion of the first inner bracket gear320 while the first inner bracket gear 320 rotates.

According to various embodiments, for example, a first right rail 361and a second right rail 362 may be formed on one side surface (e.g., aright surface) of the second center bracket 360. A portion of an outerperipheral surface of the second inner bracket gear 370 may bepositioned on the first right rail 361, and the first right rail 361functions to guide rotation of the outer peripheral surface of thesecond inner bracket gear 370 while the second inner bracket gear 370rotates. A portion of a protuberance provided at a semicircular centralportion of the second inner bracket gear 370 may be positioned on thesecond right rail 362, and the second right rail 362 functions to guiderotation of the outer peripheral surface of the second inner bracketgear 370 while the second inner bracket gear 370 rotates.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are views illustrating an example of operationstates of center brackets and inner bracket gears of a hinge structureaccording to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9A, state 901 may include a state in which at least aportion of the hinge structure is viewed with respect to a direction inwhich the first inner bracket gear 320 is disposed when the foldableflexible display device is in a flat state, and state 903 may include astate in which at least some configurations of the hinge structure isviewed with reference to a direction in which the first inner bracketgear 320 is disposed when the foldable flexible display device is in afolding state of a first angle (e.g., 90 degrees). State 905 may includea state in which at least a portion of the hinge structure is viewedwith respect to a direction in which the second inner bracket gear 370is disposed when the foldable flexible display device is in a flatstate, and state 907 may include a state in which at least a portion ofthe hinge structure is viewed with reference to a direction in which thesecond inner bracket gear 370 is disposed when the foldable flexibledisplay device is in a folding state of a second angle (e.g., an angleby which the hinge structures face each other). Referring to FIG. 9C,state 931 corresponds to a view illustrating an area W1 in which thedisplay 50 is not attached to the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120 in a state in which the display 50 of the foldable flexibledisplay device is unfolded flat. Referring to FIG. 9C, state 933corresponds to a view illustrating an area W2 in which the display 50 isnot attached to the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 in astate in which the display 50 of the foldable flexible display device isfolded.

Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, a coupling form of the centerbrackets and the inner bracket gears of the hinge structure may includea form in which the first inner bracket gear 320 is disposed at a sideof the first center bracket 330 according to a view angle as illustratedin state 901. The gear pattern part of the first main gear 341 may passthrough the first center bracket 330 and be enmeshed with the internalgear 321 of the first inner bracket gear 320. The internal gear 321 maybe formed on one side, for example, at a bottom of a curved hole (e.g.,an end of which is round such that the main gear may be inserted intothe curved hole as a part of an arc) provided on one side of the firstinner bracket gear 320. In the description, it has been exemplified thatthe internal gear 321 is formed at a portion of the bottom of the firstinner bracket gear 320, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. Whena force is applied to the first inner bracket gear 320 (or the firstbracket housing 310 and the first housing 110 coupled to the first innerbracket gear 320) in a first direction (e.g., a clockwise direction withreference to the illustrated drawing), as illustrated in state 903, thefirst inner bracket gear 320 may be inclined at a first angle (e.g., 45degrees) with respect to a longitudinal center line of the first centerbracket 330. When the first inner bracket gear 320 is inclined at thefirst angle, the same rotation is transmitted to the second innerbracket gear 370, and the second inner bracket gear 370 may be inclinedat the first angle with respect to the center line of the first centerbracket 330 (or the center line of the second center bracket 360).

According to various embodiments, the first inner bracket gear 320 (orthe second inner bracket gear 370) may be formed to be smaller than thefirst center bracket 330 (or the second center bracket 360) while havinga semielliptical shape, and as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the imaginaryrotational center axes 911 and 912 of the first inner bracket gear 320may be located above the first center bracket 330 as the first innerbracket gear 320 (or the second inner bracket gear 370) rotates at apoint that deviates from the center line of the first center bracket 330(or the second center bracket 360).

According to various embodiments, state 905 corresponds to a viewillustrating a shape of the second inner bracket gear 370 coupled to thesecond center bracket 360. A portion of the gear pattern part of thesecond main gear 342 that deviates rightwards from the longitudinalcenter line of the second center bracket 360 is enmeshed with theinternal gear 371 of the second inner bracket gear 370 and may berotated by an external force. For example, when a force that is strongerthan in state 903 is continuously applied, as illustrated in state 907,the second inner bracket gear 370 may be disposed in parallel to thelongitudinal center line of the second center bracket 360. As the secondinner bracket gear 370 rotates, the first inner bracket gear 320 may berotated in a direction that is opposite to the rotational direction ofthe second inner bracket gear 370. Accordingly, as illustrated, the flatsurfaces of the first inner bracket gear 320 and the second innerbracket gear 370 may be disposed in parallel to the longitudinal centerlines of the center brackets 330 and 360 (or perpendicularly to thetransverse center lines of the center brackets 330 and 360).

As described above, as the first inner bracket gear 320 and the secondinner bracket gear 370 are coupled at locations that are spaced apartfrom the centers of the center brackets 330 and 360 (e.g., locationsthat deviate to right peripheries or right peripheries of the centerbrackets 330 and 360) through the first main gear 341 and the secondmain gear 342, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the imaginary rotationalcenter axes 911 and 912 may be located at a specific height from thesurfaces of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 to theupper side (or a specific height from the rear surface of the display 50to the upper side, a specific height from the upper surface of thedisplay 50 to the lower side, or a specific height to the upper side ofthe transverse center lines of the center brackets 330 and 360) when thefirst main gear 341 and the second main gear 342 rotate. Alternatively,the imaginary rotational center axes 911 and 912 may be formed above thebottom surface of the lowermost end surface of the display 50 whenviewed from the top toward the lower side with reference to theillustrated drawing.

According to various embodiments, the shapes and sizes of the internalgears 321 and 371 of the first inner bracket gear 320 and the secondinner bracket gear 370 may be adjusted for locations at which the firstinner bracket gear 320 and the second inner bracket gear 370 have to bedisposed in parallel to the center brackets 330 and 360 and locations atwhich the first inner bracket gear 320 and the second inner bracket gear370 have to be disposed at 90 degrees with respect to the centerbrackets 330 and 360. Alternatively, the sizes of the curved holes ofthe rounded shapes, into which the main gear may be inserted, and thenumbers and sizes of the furrows and threads of the internal gears 321and 371 of the first inner bracket gear 320 and the second inner bracketgear 370 may vary according to the center brackets 330 and 360.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in state 907, theshapes of the internal gears of the foldable flexible display device 100may restrict maximum rotation widths of the inner bracket gears 320 and370. For example, the shapes of the internal gears may be restrictedsuch that the inner bracket gears 320 and 370 rotate within 90 degreeswith respect to the transverse center lines of the center brackets 330and 360. Then, as the inner bracket gears 320 and 370 deviate to theleft and right sides of the center brackets 330 and 360, a gap of aspecific size may be formed between the inner bracket gears 320 and 370in a state in which the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 arefolded to face each other. The gap of the specific size may alwaysmaintain a bending degree of a central area of the display 50 at aconstant value. For example, the central area of the display 50 may bebent to have a U shape (or a water drop shape) in a state in which thefirst housing 110 and the second housing 120 are folded. As the display50 is bent in a U shape, the display 50 may be less stressed as thenumber of stress points (e.g., a point of inflection) occurring in thecentral area of the display 50 is smaller than in another form (e.g., adisplay that is folded in a water drop form or a pot form). Accordingly,the foldable flexible display device 100 according to the disclosure mayhave a relatively long life span.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an example of a rivet coupling form of ahinge structure according to various embodiments of the disclosure. FIG.11 is a view illustrating an example of formation of a rivet of a hingestructure according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 10, and 11 , as illustrated, the hinge structure300 may include a first bracket housing 310, a first center bracket 330,a second center bracket 360, and a second bracket housing 380, and mayinclude a first main gear 341 and a second main gear 342 that passthrough the first center bracket 330 and the second center bracket 360.

According to various embodiments, first housing washer rings 301 and 303and a first plate spring may be disposed in a first left through-part341 a of the first main gear 341 and a first rivet 343 may be disposedat an end of the first left through-part 341 a so that the first maingear 341 may be fixed to the first inner bracket gear 320.

According to various embodiments, second housing washer rings and asecond plate spring 307 may be disposed in a second right through-part342 c of the second main gear 342 and a second rivet 344 may be disposedat an end of the second right through-part 342 c so that the second maingear 342 may be fixed to the second inner bracket gear 370.

According to various embodiments, a first surface (e.g., a right surfacein the illustrated drawing) of the first center bracket 330 and a firstsurface (e.g., a left surface in the illustrated drawing) of the secondcenter bracket 360 may be disposed to face each other. As illustrated instate 1101, a first shaft gear 351 and a second shaft gear 352 may bedisposed between the first center bracket 330 and the second centerbracket 360. The first main gear 341 and the second main gear 342 maypass through the first center bracket 330 and the second center bracket360. Then, the first main gear 341 may be enmeshed with the first shaftgear 351 and the second main gear 342 may be enmeshed with the secondshaft gear 352. A first rivet structure 343_1 may be inserted into anend of the first left through-part 341 a of the first main gear 341, anda second rivet structure 344_1 may be inserted into an end of the secondright through-part 342 c of the second main gear 342.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in state 1103, thefirst rivet 343 may be formed by applying a specific force to the firstrivet structure 343_1 and the second rivet 344 may be formed by applyinga specific force to the second rivet structure 344_1.

According to various embodiments, a plate spring may be disposed betweenthe housing washer rings at ends of the through-parts of the main gears341 and 342. Accordingly, if the first rivet 343 and the second rivet344 are fixed to ends of the through-parts of the main gears 341 and342, an elastic force of the plate spring may be applied to the housingwasher rings. Accordingly, as illustrated in state 1105, the innerbracket gears 320 and 370 may move alongside surfaces of the centerbrackets 330 and 360, and as an elastic force due to compression of theplate spring may be applied to the inner bracket gears 320 and 370,frictional forces (a frictional forces between the inner bracket gears320 and 370 and the center brackets 330 and 360) may increase. In theillustrated drawing, a width of a dotted line indicates a surface towhich a pressure due to an elastic force of the plate spring is applied.The above-mentioned structure may function to hold the peripheralstructures such that the first housing 110 and the second housing 120may be prevented from being loosened while performing hinge operations.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an example of a magnetic member of ahinge structure according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12 , as mentioned above, the hinge structure 300 mayinclude a first bracket housing 310, a first inner bracket gear 320, afirst center bracket 330, a second center bracket 360, a second innerbracket gear 370, and a second bracket housing 380. The main gears andthe shaft gears may pass through the center brackets 330 and 360 forrotation of the first inner bracket gear 320 and the second innerbracket gear 370.

According to various embodiments, a first magnet member 311 may bedisposed on one side of the first bracket housing 310. For example, withreference to the drawing, in a state in which a surface of the firstbracket housing 310, on which coupling holes coupled to the secondhousing 120 are disposed, is disposed on the upper side, the firstmagnet member 311 may be disposed on a side of the first bracket housing310, on which a curved part is not formed, for example opposite toanother side on which a curved part is formed. The side of the firstbracket housing 310 may include a positioning recess of a specific depthsuch that the first magnet member 311 may be positioned in and fixed tothe recess. The above-mentioned first magnet member 311 may be insertedinto (e.g., interference-fitted with) the positioning recess of the sideof the first bracket housing 310 or may be fixed to the positioningrecess of the side of the first bracket housing 310 through a separatebonding member.

According to various embodiments, a second magnet member 381 may bedisposed on one side of the second bracket housing 380. For example,with reference to the drawing, in a state in which a surface of thesecond bracket housing 380, on which coupling holes coupled to the firsthousing 110 are disposed, is disposed on the upper side, the secondmagnet member 381 may be disposed on a side of the second brackethousing 380, on which a curved part is not formed, for example oppositeto another side on which a curved part is formed. The side of the secondbracket housing 380 may include a positioning recess of a specific depthsuch that the second magnet member 381 may be positioned in and fixed tothe recess. The above-mentioned second magnet member 381 may be insertedinto (e.g., interference-fitted with) the positioning recess of the sideof the second bracket housing 380 or may be fixed to the positioningrecess of the side of the second bracket housing 380 through a separatebonding member.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an example of coupling of a hingestructure and a hinge housing according to various embodiments of thedisclosure. FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example of coupling of ahinge structure, a hinge housing, and housings according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the foldable flexible display device 100may include a first hinge structure 300_1 and a second hinge structure300_2. Although a form in which two hinge structures 300 are disposedhas been exemplified in the illustrated drawings, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, the foldable flexible display device mayemploy only one hinge structure or three or more hinge structures ifnecessary. For example, the number of the hinge structures may bedesigned to increase or decrease in correspondence to the size of thefoldable flexible display device.

According to various embodiments, a first through-hole 375 that passesfrom the center of a flat surface to the bottom surface of the firstcenter bracket 330 may be provided in the first hinge structure 300_1. Afirst boss 151 provided in the hinge housing 150 may be inserted intothe first through-hole 375.

According to various embodiments, a second through-hole 376 that passesfrom the center of a flat surface to the bottom surface of the secondcenter bracket 360 may be provided in the first hinge structure 300_1. Asecond boss 152 provided in the hinge housing 150 may be inserted intothe second through-hole 376.

According to various embodiments, the hinge housing 150 may include ahousing body, and a first boss 151, a second boss 152, a third boss 153,and a fourth boss 154 disposed within the housing body. For example, theleft and right peripheries of the housing body are blocked, an upperside of the housing body is opened, and an inside of the housing body isempty so that a longitudinal section of the housing body may have asemielliptical shape. Curved parts of the above-mentioned hingestructure 300 may be disposed on an inner surface of the housing body.

According to various embodiments, the first boss 151 and the second boss152 may be disposed on one side of the housing body, on which the firstboss 151 and the second boss 152 may be coupled to the firstthrough-hole 375 provided in the first center bracket 330 of the hingestructure 300 and the second through-hole 376 provided in the secondcenter bracket 360 of the hinge structure 300.

According to various embodiments, the second hinge structure 300_2 mayhave substantially the same form as the first hinge structure 300_1,which has been described above. If the center brackets included in thesecond hinge structure 300_2 are positioned in the hinge housing 150,the through-holes formed in the center brackets may be coupled to thethird boss 153 and the fourth boss 154 of the hinge housing 150.

In the above description, the structure of the hinge housing 150 inwhich two hinge structures are disposed has been exemplified, but thedisclosure is not limited thereto. For example, one or three or morehinge structures may be disposed in the hinge housing 150. As mentionedabove, the number of the hinge structure may increase or decreaseaccording to the size of the foldable flexible display device.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an example of a coupling process of partsof a hinge structure, a hinge housing, and housings according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15 , as illustrated in state 1501, the first hingestructure 300_1 and the second hinge structure 300_2 may be fitted with(or inserted with) and fixed to of a boss 155 of the hinge housing 150.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in state 1503, thefirst housing 110, for example, may be coupled to the hinge housing 150,into which the hinge structures 300_1 and 300_2 are inserted, based onat least one magnet coupling part 111 and a screw coupling part 112provided at an end of one side (e.g., a periphery of a lower side) ofthe first housing 110. The magnet coupling part 111, for example, may becoupled to the magnet members (e.g., the first magnet member 311 of thefirst hinge structure) of the hinge structures disposed in the brackethousings 310 and 380. The screw coupling part 112, for example, may bealigned with the coupling holes provided in the bracket housings 310 and380 of the hinge structure, and may be coupled to the bracket housings310 and 380 by screws.

According to various embodiments, although not illustrated, the secondhousing 120 may include a magnet coupling part and a screw coupling partsimilarly to the first housing 110, and may be coupled to a magnetmember of the hinge structure (e.g., the second magnet member 381 of thefirst hinge structure) and the bracket housings 310 and 380.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an example of a first folding angle stateof a housing and a hinge structure according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 16 , as illustrated, in the foldable flexible displaydevice 100, the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may be in astate in which the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 arefolded upwards at a first angle (e.g., degrees) with reference to astate in which the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 areunfolded at 180 degrees. Accordingly, the angle defined by the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 may be a second angle (e.g., 90degrees).

According to various embodiments, in a state in which the first housing110 and the second housing 120 define the second angle, the first hingestructure 300_1 and the second hinge structure 300_2 may be in a foldingstate for achieving the second angle as illustrated. For example, thesecond bracket housing 380 connected to the first housing 110, and thesecond inner bracket gear 370 may be in a state in which the secondbracket housing 380 and the second inner bracket gear 370 are rotated bythe first angle clockwise with respect to a transverse center line ofthe second center bracket 360. In the second hinge structure 300_2, asthe second bracket housing 380 and the second inner bracket gear 370 arerotated clockwise by the first angle, the second housing 120 may berotated counterclockwise by the first angle. Accordingly, the firstbracket housing 310 and the first inner bracket gear 320 connected tothe second housing 120 may be rotated by the first angle with respect tothe transverse center line of the first center bracket or the secondcenter bracket 360.

According to various embodiments, as the first bracket housing 310 andthe first inner bracket gear 320 connected to the second housing 120 arerotated counterclockwise by a specific angle, the first housing 110attached to the first bracket housing 310 through magnet-coupling may beseparated from the first bracket housing 310. According to variousembodiments, while the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 arein flat states, an attractive force may be applied between the magnetmember of the first bracket housing 310 and the magnet coupling partprovided on one side of the first housing 110. Accordingly, although aforce is not applied to completely unfold the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120 flat, the first housing 110 and the second housing120 may be automatically brought into flat states by the attractiveforce of the magnet member and the magnet coupling part.

According to various embodiments, the foldable flexible display devicemay further include a first magnetic force member 119 disposed on oneside of an upper end of the first housing 110 and a second magneticforce member 129 disposed on one side of an upper end of the secondhousing 120.

According to various embodiments, the first magnetic force member 119and the second magnetic force member 129 may act such that the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 pull each other by a force (e.g.,an attractive force) of a magnetic force when surfaces of the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 nearly contact each other in aprocess of changing the state of the foldable flexible display devicefrom an unfolding state to a folding state. Accordingly, the firstmagnetic force member 119 and the second magnetic force member 129 maygive the user a feeling of a detention (a feeling as if the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 are stuck to each other whilemaking a specific sound (e.g., a sound made when the first housing 110and the second housing 120 are pulled by the magnetic force and thencollide with each other) in a state in which an additional pressure isnot applied). Further, the first magnetic force member 119 and thesecond magnetic force member 129 may pull each other in a folding stateby the attractive force provided, the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120 may be opened when a force of a specific intensity (a forceof an intensity that is larger than a magnetic force that maintains acontact state of the first magnetic force member 119 and the secondmagnetic force member 129) is applied while the first housing 110 andthe second housing 120 are prevented from being unfolded arbitrarily.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the first magneticforce member 119 or the second magnetic force member 129 may be apartial configuration of a Hall Effect integrated circuit (IC). In thiscase, in the foldable flexible display device 100, the state of thedisplay 50 may be classified into an folding state or a unfolding statebased on a sticking state or a separation state of the first magneticforce member 119 and the second magnetic force member 129, and thefoldable flexible display device 100 may execute various functionscorresponding to the state of the display 50.

According to various embodiments, the first magnetic force member 119and the second magnetic force member 129 may protrude from surfaces ofthe housings 110 and 120 by specific heights. According to anembodiment, a total sum of the heights of the first magnetic forcemember 119 and the second magnetic force member 129 may correspond to aspacing distance between the first bracket housing 310 and the secondbracket housing 380 when the first bracket housing 310 and the secondbracket housing 380 are disposed perpendicularly to the center brackets330 and 360. For example, a total sum of the heights of the firstmagnetic force member 119 and the second magnetic force member 129 maycorrespond to a spacing distance between the center of the first brackethousing 310 and the center of the second bracket housing 380 or aspacing distance between a tip end of an upper end of the first brackethousing 310 and a tip end of an upper end of the second bracket housing380.

Accordingly, a gap of a folded part of the display 50 and a gap in astate in which an upper end and a lower end of the display 50 face eachother may be similar or the same so that the display 50 may have a Ushape in a folding state. Accordingly, stresses for the folded part ofthe display may be weaker than in a water drop shape.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating an example of a coupling form of adisplay and a housing of a foldable display device according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 17 , according to various embodiments, asillustrated, the display 50 may have a rectangular shape, a firstdirection length of which is relatively large as illustrated in state1701 or 1703. The display 50 may output a screen related to an operationof the device on a front surface thereof as illustrated in state 1701,and a driver circuit 55 related to driving of the display 50 may bedisposed on a rear surface of the display 50 as illustrated in state1703.

The above-mentioned display 50 may be disposed on a rear surface of thefirst housing 110 through a circuit disposition hole 115 provided on oneside of the first housing 110 as illustrated in state 1705. The drivercircuit 55 disposed on the rear surface of the first housing 110 may beelectrically connected to a printed circuit board related to anoperation of the device. In this regard, the printed circuit board maybe disposed on the rear surface of the first housing 110, and the firstcover 130 may be disposed to cover the printed circuit board asillustrated in state 1705.

The display 50 may be fixed to a portion of a central area (e.g., acentral area 52 of FIG. 1 ) of the front surface of the first housing110 and at least a portion of an upper area of the front surface of thefirst housing 110, and may be fixed to a partial area (e.g., the centralarea 52 of FIG. 1 ) of the center of the front surface of the secondhousing 120 and at least a portion of a lower area of the front surfaceof the second housing 120 as illustrated in state 1707. A central area(e.g., the central area 52 of FIG. 1 ) of the display 50 may be stackedwithout being fixed to the first housing 110 and the second housing 120.The above-mentioned display 50 may be configured such that at least aportion of the display 50 is flexible. According to an embodiment, thedisplay 50 may be configured such that a central area of the display 50is flexible and the other areas of the display 50 are rigid.Alternatively, the display 50 may be configured such that the wholedisplay 50 is flexible.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating an example of a housing and a coverstructure of a foldable display device according to various embodimentsof the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 18 , according to various embodiments, in the foldableflexible display device 100, the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120 may be successively disposed as illustrated in state 1801according to a disposition form of the foldable flexible display device100. Alternatively, as described above, the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120 may be disposed to face each other. In the foldableflexible display device 100 in state 1801, the section of the foldableflexible display device 100 may be as illustrated in state 1803 whenbeing cut away along cutting line D-D′. State 1801 represents a state inwhich the display 50 is removed from the housings 110 and 120, and thedrawings of states 1803 and 1805 represent a section to which thedisplay 50 is added.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in states 1803 and1805, the central portions of the front surfaces and the rear surfacesof the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may be flat, andside walls protruding from the bottoms of the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120 by specific heights may be disposed at peripheries ofthe front surface and the rear surface of the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120. The side walls of the front surfaces of the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 may function to prevent thedisplay 50 from deviating from the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120, and to prevent the display 50 from being damaged by anexternal impact. The above-mentioned side walls of the front surfaces ofthe first housing 110 and the second housing 120, for example, may bebezels. The side walls of the rear surfaces of the first housing 110 andthe second housing 120 may function as guards in which the first cover130 and the second cover 140 may be positioned to be fixed.

According to various embodiments, the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120, and the first cover 130 and the second cover 140 may definean interior cavity 1800 as illustrated in state 1803 in a couplingstate. Electronic elements that are necessary for an operation of thedevice, for example, a printed circuit board and a battery, may bedisposed in the interior cavity 1800 defined by the housings 110 and 120and the covers 130 and 140. Additionally, as described above, a hingehousing and at least one hinge structure 300_1 and 300_2 may be disposedin a central area of the interior cavity 1800.

According to various embodiments, in the foldable flexible displaydevice 100 having a display 50, a central area of which is foldable, acentral portion of the hinge structure is constituted by thesemielliptical center brackets 330 and 360 and the first main gear 341and the second main gear 342 are disposed in areas that are biased toopposite peripheries of the semielliptical center brackets 330 and 360so that the center brackets 330 and 360 and the main gears 341 and 342may be rotated in opposite directions to form a folding angle of thedisplay.

According to various embodiments, according to the disclosure, thedisplay may be operated to be folded in a U shape while a bezel area isminimally realized, by disposing the center brackets, the main gears,and the bracket housings under the display. In the above-mentionedstructure, the foldable flexible display device according to anembodiment, because the hinge housing 150 is disposed between the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 in a form of a single component,an external appearance of the hinge housing 150 may be exposed to theoutside even in a folding state so that the foldable flexible displaydevice may have a relatively appealing external appearance.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., a foldableflexible display device) according to an embodiment may include ahousing including a first housing structure (e.g., the first housing110) and a second housing structure (e.g., the second housing 120),wherein the first housing structure includes a first surface and asecond surface that is opposite to the first surface, wherein the secondhousing structure includes a third surface and a fourth surface that isopposite to the third surface, and wherein the first housing structureand the second housing structure are foldable with respect to eachother, and the third surface faces the first surface in a folding stateand the first surface and the third surface may face the same directionin an unfolding state, a hinge structure (e.g., the hinge structure 300)connecting a first peripheral part of the first housing structure to asecond peripheral part of the second housing structure, and a flexibledisplay layer (e.g., the display 50) extending across at least a portionof the first surface and at least a portion of the third surface and isfoldable in the first peripheral part and the second peripheral part oran adjacent area of the first peripheral part and the second peripheralpart, wherein the hinge structure includes a first shaft (e.g., thefirst main gear 341) including a first saw-toothed spur gear thatrotates about a first axis that is parallel to the first surface, asecond shaft (e.g., the second main gear 342) including a secondsaw-toothed spur gear that rotates about a second axis that is parallelto the first axis, a third saw-toothed spur gear engaged with the firstsaw-toothed spur gear to be rotatable, a fourth saw-toothed spur gearengaged with the second saw-toothed spur gear and the third saw-toothedspur gear to be rotatable, a first guide structure (e.g., the firstinner bracket gear 320) fixed to the first housing structure, includinga first curved opening (e.g., the curved hole of the inner bracket gear)having a first saw-toothed inner spur gear that is engaged with thefirst saw-toothed spur gear and is not engaged with any one of thesecond saw-toothed spur gear, the third saw-toothed spur gear, and thefourth saw-toothed spur gear, and rotated about a first imaginary axisthat is parallel to the first axis, and a second guide structure (e.g.,the second inner bracket gear 370) fixed to the second housingstructure, including a second curved opening (e.g., the curved hole ofthe inner bracket gear) having a second saw-toothed inner spur gear thatis engaged with the second saw-toothed spur gear and is not engaged withany one of the first saw-toothed spur gear, the third saw-toothed spurgear, and the fourth saw-toothed spur gear, and rotated about a secondimaginary axis that is parallel to the first axis.

According to various embodiments, the first guide structure and thefirst shaft may be disposed at least a portion between the first surfaceand the second surface, and the second guide structure and the secondshaft may be disposed at least a portion between the third surface andthe fourth surface.

According to various embodiments, the first imaginary axis may be spacedapart from the first surface by an offset, and the second imaginary axismay be spaced apart from the third surface by an offset.

According to various embodiments, a foldable flexible display deviceaccording to an embodiment may include a display, a first housingsupporting an upper area or an area of one side of the center of thedisplay, a second housing supporting a lower area or an area of anopposite side (another side opposite to said one side) of the center ofthe display, and a hinge structure disposed between the first housingand the second housing to be coupled to the first housing and the secondhousing and disposed under the display, and the hinge structure mayinclude a central body, a first main gear disposed to pass through aperiphery of one side of the central body, a second main gear disposedto pass through a periphery of an opposite side (another side oppositeto said one side of the central body) of the central body, a first innerbracket gear having a curved hole in the interior thereof, and aninternal gear disposed around the hole and enmeshed with the first maingear, a second inner bracket gear having a curved hole in the interiorthereof, and an internal gear disposed around the hole and enmeshed withthe second main gear, a first bracket housing coupled to the first innerbracket gear and the second housing, and a second bracket housingcoupled to the second inner bracket gear and the first housing.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating an example of a structure of anelectronic device including a first plate according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 19 , the electronic device according to variousembodiments may include a display 50, a first plate 1910, a firsthousing 110, and a second housing 120. As described above with referenceto FIG. 1 and the like, the display 50 may include an upper area 51, acentral area 52, and a lower area 53. The first plate 1910 may include arigid plate of a specific strength or more to improve a surface qualityof the display 50 (e.g., to improve flatness and to restrain wrinklesgenerated in the central area 52 of the display 50 due to repeatedfolding operations). Because the first plate 1910 is disposed on thefirst housing 110 and the second housing 120, at least a portion of theflexible display 50 may be restrained from having a defect, for example,bending or distortion, in a process of disposing the display 50 on thefirst housing 110 and the second housing 120.

The first plate 1910 may improve the flatness of the display 50 by areducing operation that may partially generated on the first housing 110and the second housing 120 on which various mechanisms are positioned.For example, when the display 50 is positioned in the hole areas or therecess areas of the housings 110 and 120, the corresponding areas (therecesses or holes or border portions thereof) may be lower than theperipheries thereof so that the flatness of the display 50 may becomeworse, and the first plate 1910 may function to reduce the operation.

The first plate 1910 may include an upper plate 1911 and a lower plate1912. The upper plate 1911 may be fixed onto the first housing 110. Inthis regard, a bonding member having a specific width and a specificextent may be disposed on at least one surface between the upper plate1911 and the first housing 110. An upper area 51 and a portion of acentral area 52 of the display 50 may be positioned on the upper plate1911. In relation to fixing of the upper area 51 of the display 50, abonding member may be disposed between the upper plate 1911 and theupper area 51 of the display 50.

The lower plate 1912 may be fixed onto the second housing 120. In thisregard, a bonding member having a specific width and a specific extentmay be disposed on at least one surface between the lower plate 1912 andthe second housing 120. A lower area 53 and a portion of a central area52 of the display 50 may be positioned on the lower plate 1912. Inrelation to fixing of the lower area 53 of the display 50, a bondingmember may be disposed between the lower plate 1912 and the lower area53 of the display 50.

The upper plate 1911 and the lower plate 1912 may be separated from eachother, and may be disposed to nearly contact each other.

For example, the upper plate 1911 and the lower plate 1912 areseparately disposed, and the whole size of the upper plate 1911 and thelower plate 1912 may correspond to the whole size (e.g., the upper area51, the central area 52, and the lower area 53) of the display 50.Accordingly, a partial area of a lower side of the upper plate 1911 maybe disposed to cover a portion of the hinge area 15, and a partial areaof an upper side of the lower plate 1912 may be disposed to cover theremaining portions of the hinge area 15. The partial area of the lowerside of the upper plate 1911 disposed in the hinge area 15 and thepartial area of the upper side of the lower plate 1912 disposed in thehinge area 15 may be disposed not to be bonded to the hinge area 15.Accordingly, while the electronic device is folded, the upper plate 1911may rotate along the first housing 110 and the lower plate 1912 mayrotate along the second housing 120.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating an example of a structure of anelectronic device including a second plate according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 20 , the electronic device according to variousembodiments may include a display 50, a second plate 2000, a firsthousing 110, and a second housing 120. A hinge area 15 in which a hingestructure is disposed may be provided between the first housing 110 andthe second housing 120.

The second plate 2000 may have a specific pattern (e.g., a latticepattern), and may have a size corresponding to the whole size of thedisplay 50. At least a portion of the second plate 2000 may have aflexible structure such that the second plate 2000 may support a foldingstate of the display 50. For example, the second plate 2000 is formed ofa metal (e.g., stainless steel) and has a thin thickness of a specificthickness or less, and as illustrated, may include a lattice pattern tomake a folding operation easy and to achieve a structure that is robustto stress according to folding and unfolding operations.

Further, the second plate 2000 may have a special thickness or more toimprove surface quality. The second plate 2000, for example, may includea lattice plate. When the lattice plate is disposed between the display50, and the first housing 110, the hinge area 15, and the second housing120, it may be attached to a front surface of the display 50. In thisregard, a bonding member for fixing the display 50 to the second plate2000 may be disposed on at least a portion of the front surface of thedisplay 50 (including an entire peripheral area of the display 50). Thesecond plate 2000 may be fixed onto the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120. A separate bonding member is not disposed between thesecond plate 2000 and the hinge area 15, but may be disposed on thehinge area 15 such that the second plate 2000 is not fixed.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating an example of a structure of anelectronic device including a third plate according to variousembodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 21 , the electronic device may include a display 50, athird plate 2100, a first housing 110, and a second housing 120, and ahinge area 15 may be disposed between the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120.

The display 50 may include an upper area 51, a central area 52, and alower area 53. The third plate 2100 may include an upper plate 2101, alower plate 2103, and a middle plate 2102. The upper plate 2101 and thelower plate 2103 may be rigid plates. The middle plate 2102 may be aflexible plate as described in FIG. 20 . The middle plate 2102 may havea size corresponding to the size of the central area 52 of the display50. Alternatively, the middle plate 2102 may have a size correspondingto the size of the hinge area 15.

The upper plate 2101 of the third plate 2100 may be fixed onto the firsthousing 110. The lower plate 2103 may be fixed onto the second housing120. In this regard, a bonding member may be disposed at least a partbetween the upper plate 2101 of the third plate 2100 and the firsthousing 110 and between the lower plate 2103 of the third plate 2100 andthe second housing 120. The bonding member may be disposed between theupper plate 2101 and the upper area 51 of the display 50 such that theupper area 51 of the display 50 is fixed onto the upper plate 2101. Thebonding member may be disposed between the lower plate 2103 and thelower area 53 of the display 50 such that the lower area 53 of thedisplay 50 is fixed onto the lower plate 2103.

The middle plate 2102 may be fixed to the hinge area 15 through thebonding member, and may be prolonged during the hinge operations of thehousings 110 and 120. The bonding member may be disposed between themiddle plate 2102 and the central area 52 of the display 50, and thecentral area 52 of the display 50 may be fixed to the middle plate 2102.The intensity of the prolonging force (an extension degree) of themiddle plate 2102 and the intensity of the prolonging force of thecentral area 52 of the display 50 may be the same or similar.

According to various embodiments, a separate bonding member is notdisposed between the middle plate 2102 and the hinge area 15 so that themiddle plate 2102 may not be fixed onto the hinge area 15. A separatebonding member is not disposed between the middle plate 2102 and thecentral area 52 of the display 50 so that the central area 52 of thedisplay 50 may not be fixed to the middle plate 2102.

As mentioned above, according to various embodiments of the disclosure,the electronic device may employ at least one of the first to thirdplates 2101, 2102, and 2103 to flatten the stepped areas on the surfacesof the first housing 110 and the second housing 120, thereby improvingthe flatness of a surface of the display 50. Further, during folding andflat (unfolding) operations of the electronic device, the stress (orpressure) applied to the display 50 is distributed by the plate so thatthe display 50 may be restrained from being damaged or wrinkled.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided afoldable flexible display device (or a foldable display device, orflexible display device) including a first housing, a second housing, adisplay disposed on the first housing and the second housing, a hingestructure coupled to one side of the first housing and one side of thesecond housing and disposed under the display, and a hinge housingsurrounding the hinge structure, wherein the hinge structure includescenter brackets having an semielliptical shape, a first inner bracketgear disposed to be rotatable along a first curve through a first maingear from peripheries of sides of the center brackets, and a secondinner bracket gear disposed to be rotatable along a second curve througha second main gear from peripheries of opposite sides of the centerbrackets.

The foldable flexible display device may further include at least oneshaft gear disposed between the first main gear and the second maingear.

The at least one shaft gear may include a first shaft gear contactingthe first main gear such that rotational directions of the first maingear and the second main gear are opposite to each other, and a secondshaft gear contacting the first shaft gear and the second main gear.

The center point of the first inner bracket gear may be spaced apartfrom the center points of the center brackets in a first direction by afirst spacing distance, and the center point of the second inner bracketgear may be spaced apart from the center points of the center bracketsin a second direction by a first spacing distance.

The thickness of the hinge housing may be smaller than the thickness ofthe first housing or the second housing.

The foldable flexible display device may further include a first brackethousing fixed to the first inner bracket gear and coupled to the secondhousing, and a second bracket housing fixed to the second inner bracketgear and coupled to the first housing.

The foldable flexible display device may further include a first magnetmember disposed at a side of the first bracket housing and coupled to aside of the center of the second housing based on a magnetic force, anda second magnet member disposed at a side of the second bracket housingand coupled to a side of the center of the first housing based on amagnetic force.

The foldable flexible display device may further include at least one ofa first magnetic member disposed on one side of an upper end of thefirst housing and a second magnet member disposed on one side of anupper end of the second housing, and a plate disposed between the firsthousing and the second housing and the display, having a size thatcorresponds to or is smaller than the size of the display, and having aspecific thickness.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided afoldable flexible display device including a display, a first housingsupporting an upper area or an area of one side of the center of thedisplay, a second housing supporting a lower area or an area of anotherside opposite to said one side of the center of the display, and a hingestructure disposed between the first housing and the second housing tobe coupled to the first housing and the second housing and disposedunder the display, wherein the hinge structure is configured such thatan imaginary first rotation axis about which the first housing isrotated and an imaginary second rotation axis about which the secondhousing is rotated are located in a space that is spaced apart from abottom surface of the display by a specific height.

The hinge structure may be operated to rotate the second housing by anangle by which the first housing is rotated in a first direction.

The hinge housing may be disposed under the display, may be disposedinside the first housing and the second housing in a state in which thefirst housing and the second housing are unfolded flat, and may bedisposed such that at least a portion of the hinge housing is exposed tothe outside in a state in which the first housing and the second housingare folded.

The hinge structure may include a central body, a first main geardisposed to pass through a periphery of one side of the central body, asecond main gear disposed to pass through a periphery of another sideopposite to said one said of the central body, a first inner bracketgear having a curved hole in the interior thereof, and an internal geardisposed around the hole and enmeshed with the first main gear, a secondinner bracket gear having a curved hole in the interior thereof, and aninternal gear disposed around the hole and enmeshed with the second maingear, a first bracket housing coupled to the first inner bracket gearand the second housing, and a second bracket housing coupled to thesecond inner bracket gear and the first housing, the curved hole of thefirst inner bracket gear may be configured such that the first innerbracket gear is rotatable within a first angle with respect to thecentral body, the curved hole of the second inner bracket gear may beconfigured such that the second inner bracket gear is rotatable within asecond angle with respect to the central body, and the rotationaldirections of the first inner bracket gear and the second inner bracketgear may be opposite to each other.

The foldable flexible display device may further include a firstmagnetic force member disposed at one side of an upper end of the firsthousing, and a second magnetic force member disposed on one side of anupper end of the second housing and disposed at a location that facesthe first magnetic force member in a state in which the first housingand the second housing are folded, and the first magnetic force memberprotrudes from a surface of an upper end of the first housing by aspecific height and the second magnetic force member protrudes from asurface of an upper end of the second housing by a specific height.

A total sum of a protruding height of the first magnetic force memberand a protruding height of the second magnetic force member maycorrespond to a spacing distance between one surface of the first innerbracket gear and one surface of the second inner bracket gear in a statein which the first housing and the second housing are folded.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in anetwork environment according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 22 , an electronic device 2201 in a networkenvironment 2200 may communicate with an electronic device 2202 via afirst network 2298 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network),or an electronic device 2204 or a server 2208 via a second network 2299(e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to anembodiment, the electronic device 2201 may communicate with theelectronic device 2204 via the server 2208. According to an embodiment,the electronic device 2201 may include a processor 2220, memory 2230, aninput device 2250, a sound output device 2255, a display device 2260, anaudio module 2270, a sensor module 2276, an interface 2277, a hapticmodule 2279, a camera module 2280, a power management module 2288, abattery 2289, a communication module 2290, a subscriber identificationmodule (SIM) 2296, or an antenna module 2297. In some embodiments, atleast one (e.g., the display device 2260 or the camera module 2280) ofthe components may be omitted from the electronic device 2201, or one ormore other components may be added in the electronic device 2201. Insome embodiments, some of the components may be implemented as singleintegrated circuitry. For example, the sensor module 2276 (e.g., afingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or a luminance sensor) may beimplemented as embedded in the display device 2260 (e.g., a display).

The processor 2220 may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program2240) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware orsoftware component) of the electronic device 2201 coupled with theprocessor 2220, and may perform various data processing or computation.According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing orcomputation, the processor 2220 may load a command or data received fromanother component (e.g., the sensor module 2276 or the communicationmodule 2290) in volatile memory 2232, process the command or the datastored in the volatile memory 2232, and store resulting data innon-volatile memory 2234. According to an embodiment, the processor 2220may include a main processor 2221 (e.g., a CPU or an AP), and anauxiliary processor 2223 (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), animage signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communicationprocessor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunctionwith, the main processor 2221. Additionally or alternatively, theauxiliary processor 2223 may be adapted to consume less power than themain processor 2221, or to be specific to a specified function. Theauxiliary processor 2223 may be implemented as separate from, or as partof the main processor 2221.

The auxiliary processor 2223 may control at least some of functions orstates related to at least one component (e.g., the display device 2260,the sensor module 2276, or the communication module 2290) among thecomponents of the electronic device 2201, instead of the main processor2221 while the main processor 2221 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep)state, or together with the main processor 2221 while the main processor2221 is in an active state (e.g., executing an application). Accordingto an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 2223 (e.g., an ISP or a CP)may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module2280 or the communication module 2290) functionally related to theauxiliary processor 2223.

The memory 2230 may store various data used by at least one component(e.g., the processor 2220 or the sensor module 2276) of the electronicdevice 2201. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g.,the program 2240) and input data or output data for a command relatedthereto. The memory 2230 may include the volatile memory 2232 or thenon-volatile memory 2234.

The program 2240 may be stored in the memory 2230 as software, and mayinclude, for example, an operating system (OS) 2242, middleware 2244, oran application 2246.

The input device 2250 may receive a command or data to be used by othercomponent (e.g., the processor 2220) of the electronic device 2201, fromthe outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 2201. The inputdevice 2250 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, or akeyboard.

The sound output device 2255 may output sound signals to the outside ofthe electronic device 2201. The sound output device 2255 may include,for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used forgeneral purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and thereceiver may be used for an incoming call. According to an embodiment,the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of thespeaker.

The display device 2260 may visually provide information to the outside(e.g., a user) of the electronic device 2201. The display device 2260may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projectorand control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display,hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the displaydevice 2260 may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, orsensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure theintensity of force incurred by the touch.

The audio module 2270 may convert a sound into an electrical signal andvice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 2270 may obtainthe sound via the input device 2250, or output the sound via the soundoutput device 2255 or a headphone of an external electronic device(e.g., an electronic device 2202) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelesslycoupled with the electronic device 2201.

The sensor module 2276 may detect an operational state (e.g., power ortemperature) of the electronic device 2201 or an environmental state(e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 2201, andthen generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to thedetected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 2276 mayinclude, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmosphericpressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gripsensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, abiometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or anilluminance sensor.

The interface 2277 may support one or more specified protocols to beused for the electronic device 2201 to be coupled with the externalelectronic device (e.g., the electronic device 2202) directly (e.g.,wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface 2277may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI),a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) cardinterface, or an audio interface.

A connecting terminal 2278 may include a connector via which theelectronic device 2201 may be physically connected with the externalelectronic device (e.g., the electronic device 2202). According to anembodiment, the connecting terminal 2278 may include, for example, aHDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audioconnector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module 2279 may convert an electrical signal into amechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electricalstimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation orkinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module2279 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or anelectric stimulator.

The camera module 2280 may capture a still image or moving images.According to an embodiment, the camera module 2280 may include one ormore lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

The power management module 2288 may manage power supplied to theelectronic device 2201. According to one embodiment, the powermanagement module 2288 may be implemented as at least part of, forexample, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery 2289 may supply power to at least one component of theelectronic device 2201. According to an embodiment, the battery 2289 mayinclude, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, asecondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 2290 may support establishing a direct (e.g.,wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel betweenthe electronic device 2201 and the external electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 2202, the electronic device 2204, or the server 2208)and performing communication via the established communication channel.The communication module 2290 may include one or more CPs that areoperable independently from the processor 2220 (e.g., the AP) andsupports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wirelesscommunication. According to an embodiment, the communication module 2290may include a wireless communication module 2292 (e.g., a cellularcommunication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or aglobal navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or awired communication module 2294 (e.g., a local area network (LAN)communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). Acorresponding one of these communication modules may communicate withthe external electronic device via the first network 2298 (e.g., ashort-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity(Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the secondnetwork 2299 (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as acellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or widearea network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may beimplemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may beimplemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from eachother. The wireless communication module 2292 may identify andauthenticate the electronic device 2201 in a communication network, suchas the first network 2298 or the second network 2299, using subscriberinformation (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI))stored in the SIM 2296.

The antenna module 2297 may transmit or receive a signal or power to orfrom the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of theelectronic device 2201. According to an embodiment, the antenna module2297 may include one or more antennas, and, therefrom, at least oneantenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communicationnetwork, such as the first network 2298 or the second network 2299, maybe selected, for example, by the communication module 2290 (e.g., thewireless communication module 2292). The signal or the power may then betransmitted or received between the communication module 2290 and theexternal electronic device via the selected at least one antenna.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutuallyand communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via aninter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purposeinput and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobileindustry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted orreceived between the electronic device 2201 and the external electronicdevice 2204 via the server 2208 coupled with the second network 2299.Each of the electronic devices 2202 and 2204 may be a device of a sametype as, or a different type, from the electronic device 2201. Accordingto an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at theelectronic device 2201 may be executed at one or more of the externalelectronic devices 2202, 2204, or 2208. For example, if the electronicdevice 2201 should perform a function or a service automatically, or inresponse to a request from a user or another device, the electronicdevice 2201, instead of, or in addition to, executing the function orthe service, may request the one or more external electronic devices toperform at least part of the function or the service. The one or moreexternal electronic devices receiving the request may perform the atleast part of the function or the service requested, or an additionalfunction or an additional service related to the request, and transferan outcome of the performing to the electronic device 2201. Theelectronic device 2201 may provide the outcome, with or without furtherprocessing of the outcome, as at least part of a reply to the request.To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-servercomputing technology may be used, for example.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one ofvarious types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include,for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), acomputer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medicaldevice, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According toan embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limitedto those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure andthe terms used therein are not intended to limit the technologicalfeatures set forth herein to particular embodiments and include variouschanges, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment.With regard to the description of the drawings, similar referencenumerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is tobe understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an itemmay include one or more of the things, unless the relevant contextclearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “Aor B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, orC,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” mayinclude all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in acorresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st”and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish acorresponding component from another, and does not limit the componentsin other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood thatif an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or withoutthe term “operatively” or “communicatively,” as “coupled with,” “coupledto,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a secondelement), it means that the element may be coupled with the otherelement directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented inhardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used withother terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or“circuitry.” A module may be a single integral component, or a minimumunit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. Forexample, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in aform of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software(e.g., the program 2240) including one or more instructions that arestored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 2236 or externalmemory 2238) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device2201). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor 2220) of themachine (e.g., the electronic device 2201) may invoke at least one ofthe one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and executeit, with or without using one or more other components under the controlof the processor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform atleast one function according to the at least one instruction invoked.The one or more instructions may include a code generated by a complieror a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storagemedium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium.Wherein, the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage mediumis a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., anelectromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate betweenwhere data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and wherethe data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure may be included and provided in a computer programproduct. The computer program product may be traded as a product betweena seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed inthe form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc readonly memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded)online via an application store (e.g., Play Store™), or between two userdevices (e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at leastpart of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or atleast temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such asmemory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store,or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or aprogram) of the above-described components may include a single entityor multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more ofthe above-described components may be omitted, or one or more othercomponents may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality ofcomponents (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a singlecomponent. In such a case, according to various embodiments, theintegrated component may still perform one or more functions of each ofthe plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they areperformed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components beforethe integration. According to various embodiments, operations performedby the module, the program, or another component may be carried outsequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or moreof the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, orone or more other operations may be added.

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating an example of a first type hinge housingof a foldable display device and a configuration of the foldable displaydevice according to various embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 25 is aview illustrating a folding state of a foldable display device includinga first type hinge housing according to various embodiments of thedisclosure. FIG. 26 is a view illustrating various states related to acentral portion of a foldable display device including a first typehinge housing according to various embodiments of the disclosure. FIG.27 is a view illustrating unfolding states for specific angles of afoldable display device including a first type hinge housing accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 28 is a view illustratingfolding states for specific angles of a foldable display deviceincluding a first type hinge housing according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 , as illustrated in states2410 and 2430, the foldable flexible display device 2400 may include afirst housing 110, a second housing 120, a hinge structure 300, a firsttype hinge housing 2450 disposed at a central portion 2415 of thedevice. According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 26 , adisplay 50, at least a portion of which is flexible, may be disposed onfront surfaces of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120(e.g., upper surfaces of the housings 110 and 120 with reference to thedrawing).

The first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may be folded based onthe hinge structure 300 (e.g., folded in a direction in which the uppersurface of the first housing 110 and the upper surface of the secondhousing 120 face each other). The hinge structure 300 may be insertedinto the first type hinge housing 2450 of a half-pipe type. The hingestructure 300 may be coupled to bosses 151, 152, 153, and 154 whilebeing inserted into the first type hinge housing 2450 to be fixed to thefirst type hinge housing 2450.

As illustrated in states 2410 and 2430, the first type hinge housing2450 may be disposed at a central portion of the foldable flexibledisplay device 2400. In a state in which the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120 are unfolded, one side of the first type hingehousing 2450 may be inserted into a tip end of one side of the firsthousing 110 (e.g., a tip end of the first housing 110 that faces thesecond housing 120), and an opposite side of the first type hingehousing 2450 may be inserted into a tip end of one side of the secondhousing 120 (e.g., a tip end of the second housing 120 that faces thefirst housing 110). As illustrated in states 2510 and 2530 of FIG. 25 ,at least a portion of the first type hinge housing 2450 may be exposedto the outside in a state in which the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120 are folded (e.g., a state in which an upper surface of thefirst housing 110 and an upper surface of the second housing 120 faceeach other).

The first type hinge housing 2450 may include a half-pipe shaped hingehousing body 2401, and bosses 151, 152, 153, and 154 may be disposedinside the first type hinge housing 2450. The first type hinge housing2450 may include at least one of a first side wall 2402 that blocks aleft opening of the hinge housing body 2401 and a second side wall 2403that blocks a right opening of the hinge housing body 2401. The firstside wall 2402 and the second side wall 2403, for example, may have asemielliptical shape. The first side wall 2402 and the second side wall2403 may be disposed at locations that are symmetrical to the center ofthe hinge housing body 2401 at opposite two sides of the center.

The first type hinge housing 2450 may include at least one of a firstshield 2402 a protruding from an upper end of the first side wall 2402by a specific height and a second shield 2403 a protruding from an upperend of the second side wall 2403 by a specific height. The thickness ofthe first shield 2402 a may be the same as that of the first side wall2402. The width of the first shield 2402 a may be smaller than that ofthe first side wall 2402. According to various embodiments, the firstshield 2402 a may have a width that is larger than a width of anaperture between the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 whilethe first housing 110 and the second housing 120 are folded. The firstshield 2402 a may have a height by which an area, in which the display50 is exposed through an aperture of an area in which the first housing110 and the second housing 120 face each other, may be covered in astate in which the display 50 positioned on the first housing 110 andthe second housing 120 is folded. The second shield 2403 a may have asize and a shape that are substantially the same as the first shield2402 a.

As illustrated in states 2510 and 2530, the first shield 2402 a and thesecond shield 2403 a may cover the display folding part 59 such that thedisplay folding part 59 is not exposed to the outside in a state inwhich the upper surface of the first housing 110 and the upper surfaceof the second housing 120 face each other. The remaining portions of thedisplay, except for the folding part 59, may be attached to the bottomsurfaces of the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 so as notto be observed from the outside in a state in which the first housing110 and the second housing 120 are folded.

Although it has been exemplified that the first shield 2402 a and thesecond shield 2403 a protrude from the side walls 2402 and 2403 in arectangular boss shape, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Forexample, at least one of upper ends of the first shield 2402 a and thesecond shield 2403 a may have various shapes. For example, the variousshapes may include a half-moon shape that is convex upwards (e.g., in adirection opposite to the bottom surface of the first type hinge housing2450 on which the bosses 151, 152, 153 and 154 are positioned), ahalf-moon shape that is concave downwards (e.g., in a direction of thebottom surface of the first type hinge housing 2450 on which the bosses151, 152, 153 and 154 are positioned), a convexo-concave shape, adiamond shape, and a polygonal shape.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27 , as illustrated in state 2610, and states2710 to 2790, the display 50 of the foldable flexible display device2400 may be in an unfolding state. In this regard, the first housing 110and the second housing 120 may be in an unfolding state, and the display50 may be positioned on the upper surfaces of the first housing 110 andthe second housing 120.

As illustrated in states 2610 and 2730, the first housing 110 mayinclude a first side surface 2611 a, a second side surface 2611 b, athird side surface 2611 c, a first upper surface 2614 a, and a firstrear surface 2611 e.

The first side surface 2611 a, for example, may be located on a leftsurface of the foldable flexible display device 2400, and in anunfolding state, one side of the first side surface 2611 a (e.g., a tipend of a lower side of the first side surface 2611 a disposed downwardswith reference to state 2610 or 2710) may be disposed to face onesurface of the fourth side surface 2612 a of the second housing 120(e.g., a tip end of an upper side of the fourth side surface 2612 adisposed upwards with reference to state 2610 or 1710). An opposite sideof the first side surface 2611 a (e.g., a tip end of an upper side ofthe first side surface 2611 a disposed upwards with reference to state2610 or 2710) may be connected to one side of the second side surface2611 b. As illustrated in state 2730, a lower side of the first sidesurface 2611 a (e.g., a lower surface of the first side surface 2611 awhen viewed from an upper surface of the display 50 of the foldableflexible display device 2400 towards the bottom surface of the display50) may be connected to one side of the first rear surface 2611 e. Asillustrated in states 2710 to 2750, an upper side of the first sidesurface 2611 a (e.g., an upper end that is opposite to the lower side ofthe first side surface 2611 a) may be disposed to surround a peripheryof the display 50. According to various embodiments, the upper side ofthe first side surface 2611 a may protrude farther than an inner bottomsurface of the first housing 110 by a specific height (e.g., a heightthat is larger than the thickness of the display 50).

The second side surface 2611 b may be located on a side surface of anupper end of the foldable flexible display device 2400. As illustratedin state 2610 or 2710, the second side surface 2611 b, for example, maybe disposed between the first side surface 2611 a and the third sidesurface 2611 c. Accordingly, left and right ends of the second sidesurface 2611 b may be connected to the first side surface 2611 a and thethird side surface 2611 c while having specific angles (e.g., 90degrees), respectively. According to various embodiments, one side ofthe second side surface 2611 b (e.g., the upper surface of the secondside surface 2611 b) may be connected to one side of the first uppersurface 2614 a. An opposite side of the second side surface 2611 b(e.g., a lower surface of the second side surface 2611 b) may beconnected to one side of the first rear surface 2611 e.

The third side surface 2611 c, for example, may be located on a rightsurface of the foldable flexible display device 2400, and in anunfolding state, one side of the third side surface 2611 c (e.g., a tipend of a lower side of the third side surface 2611 c disposed downwardswith reference to state 2610 or 2710) may be disposed to face onesurface of the sixth side surface 2612 c of the second housing 120(e.g., a tip end of an upper side of the sixth side surface 2612 cdisposed upwards with reference to state 2610 or 2710). As illustratedin state 2610, the third side surface 2611 c may have a location and ashape that are symmetrical leftwards and rightwards to the first sidesurface 2611 a with reference to an imaginary longitudinal center line2691 of the foldable flexible display device 2400. In correspondence,the third side surface 2611 c may be connected to another side oppositeto the first side surfaces 2611 a of the first rear surface 2611 e, andan upper side of the third side surface 2611 c may protrude farther thanthe bottom of the inside of the first housing 110 by a specific height(e.g., a height of the thickness of the display 50 or more). Accordingto various embodiments, the heights of the upper side of the first sidesurface 2611 a protruding from the bottom surface of the inside of thefirst housing 110 and the upper side of the third side surface 2611 cmay be the same as the thickness of the display 50.

As illustrated in states 2610 and 2710, left and right ends of the firstupper surface 2614 a are connected to an upper side of the first sidesurface 2611 a and an upper side of the third side surface 2611 c and anupper side of the first upper surface 2614 a may be connected to anupper side of the second side surface 2611 b. A lower side of the firstupper surface 2614 a may face one surface of the display 50. The firstupper surface 2614 a may be higher than the bottom surface of the insideof the first housing 110 by a specific height (e.g., a height of thethickness of the display 50 or more). According to various embodiments,the height by which the first upper surface 2614 a protrudes from thebottom surface of the first housing 110 may be the same as the thicknessof the display 50.

As illustrated in states 2710 or 2730, the left and right sides and theupper side of the first rear surface 2611 e may be connected to thefirst side surface 2611 a, the third side surface 2611 c and the secondside surface 2611 b, and the lower side of the first side surface 2611 amay be disposed to face the upper side of the fourth side surface 2612 aof the second housing 120 in a folding state of the foldable flexibledisplay device.

As illustrated in states 2610 or 2710, the second housing 120 mayinclude a fourth side surface 2612 a, a fifth side surface 2612 b, asixth side surface 2612 c, a second upper surface 2612 d, and a secondrear surface 2612 e. The second housing 120 may have a location, a size,and a shape that are symmetrical to the first housing 110 with referenceto a central portion of the display 50. For example, left and rightsides of the fifth side surface 2612 b may be connected to sides of thefourth side surface 2612 a and the sixth side surface 2612 c, an upperside of the fifth side surface 2612 b may be connected to one side ofthe second upper surface 2612 d, and a lower side of the fifth sidesurface 2612 b may be connected to one side of the second rear surface2612 e.

When viewed form the front surface of the drawing illustrated withreference to state 2750, the left and right peripheries of the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 may be formed to have a thinthickness that may be neglected. For example, the upper surfaceconnected to the first side surface 2611 a and the third side surface2611 c, and the fourth side surface 2612 a and the sixth side surface2612 c may be very thin (e.g., bezel-less).

State 2630 illustrates the first type hinge housing 2450 disposedbetween the first housing 110 and the second housing 120, and may havesubstantially the same configuration as the first type hinge housing2450 described in FIG. 24 .

State 2650 corresponds to an enlarged view illustrating one end of acentral portion of the foldable flexible display device 2400. A recessof a specific size may be provided between the first side surface 2611 aand the fourth side surface 2612 a. The first shield 2402 a may beexposed to the outside through a recess formed between the first sidesurface 2611 a and the fourth side surface 2612 a. The first shield 2402a may be disposed to cover a left periphery of a central portion of thedisplay 50.

As illustrated in state 2650, a recess of a specific size may beprovided between the third side surface 2611 c and the sixth sidesurface 2612 c, and the second shield 2403 a may be exposed to theoutside through a recess formed between the third side surface 2611 cand the sixth side surface 2612 c. The second shield 2403 a may bedisposed to cover a right periphery of a central portion of the display50.

State 2670 is a cutaway view taken along line A-A′ of state 2650. Thecutting is made to cross the central portion of the foldable flexibledisplay device 2400 from an upper side that is rather biased to thelower end of the foldable flexible display device 2400. Accordingly, asillustrated, one sectional configuration of the foldable flexibledisplay device 2400 may include a fourth side surface 2612 a, a secondrear surface 2612 e, and a sixth side surface 2612 c, and the first typehinge housing 2450 may be disposed inside the fourth side surface 2612a, the second rear surface 2612 e, and the sixth side surface 2612 c.The hinge structure 300 may be disposed at a central portion of thefirst type hinge housing 2450.

State 2690 corresponds to a view illustrating a portion of the rightside of state 2670 in more detail. The display 50 may be disposed on thefoldable flexible display device 2400, the sixth side surface 2612 c maybe disposed on the right side, and the second rear surface 2612 e may bedisposed on the lower side. The first type hinge housing 2450 may bedisposed inside the sixth side surface 2612 c and the second rearsurface 2612 e. The second side wall 2403 and the second shield 2403 amay be disposed at a tip end of the right side of the first type hingehousing 2450, and the second shield 2403 a may be disposed to cover aright periphery of a central portion of the display 50.

Referring to FIG. 28 , as illustrated in state 2810, the foldableflexible display device 2400 may be in a folding state. For example, onesurface of the first housing 110 and one surface of the second housing120 may be disposed to face each other. The first type hinge housing2450 may be disposed under the first housing 110 and the second housing120, and in an unfolding state of the foldable flexible display device2400, at least a portion of the first type hinge housing 2450 may bedisposed between the housings 110 and 120. Accordingly, the first shield2402 a or the second shield 2403 a may be disposed to cover at least aportion (e.g., an aperture formed in lower areas of the first housing110 and the second housing 120) of an aperture 2891 formed between thefirst housing 110 and the second housing 120. Alternatively, the firstshield 2402 a or the second shield 2403 a may be disposed to cover thefolding part 59 of the display disposed inside the first shield 2402 aor the second shield 2403 a.

State 2830 corresponds to a view illustrating a state in which the firsthousing 110 is located on the upper side in a folding state of the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120. In this state, the first shield2402 a may be disposed to cover a folding part (e.g., the folding part59 of FIG. 25 ) in which the display is folded. State 2850 correspondsto a view illustrating a state in which the second housing 120 islocated on the upper side in a folding state of the first housing 110and the second housing 120. In this state, the second shield 2403 a maybe disposed to cover a folding part (e.g., the folding part 59 of FIG.25 ) in which the display is folded. State 2870 corresponds to a viewillustrating a state in which the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120 is located on the front surface of the first type hingehousing 2450 in a folding state of the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating various states of a foldable displaydevice including a second type hinge housing according to variousembodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 30 is a view illustrating unfoldingstates for specific angles of a foldable display device including asecond type hinge housing according to various embodiments of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30 , as illustrated in states 2910 to 3090,the display 50 of the foldable flexible display device 2900 may be in anunfolding state. State 2910 illustrates an example of a front view of anunfolding state of the foldable flexible display device 2900. State 2930is a view illustrating an example of the second type hinge housing 2950.State 2955 corresponds to an enlarged view illustrating a centralportion 2951 of the foldable flexible display device 2900. State 2970corresponds to a view illustrating a section with reference to cuttingline B-B′ in state 2955. State 2990 corresponds to a view illustrating aportion of a right periphery of state 2970. State 3010 is a perspectiveview of a first angle (e.g., an angle at which the front surface of thefoldable flexible display device 2900 is visible) of the foldableflexible display device 2900 in an unfolding state. State 3030 is aperspective view of a second angle (e.g., an angle at which the rearsurface of the foldable flexible display device 2900 is visible) of thefoldable flexible display device 2900 in an unfolding state. State 3050corresponds to a front view of the foldable flexible display device2900. State 3070 corresponds to a rear view of the foldable flexibledisplay device 2900. State 3090 corresponds to a side view of thefoldable flexible display device 2900.

The first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may be in an unfoldingstate as illustrated in FIG. 29 or 30 , and the display 50 may bepositioned on the upper surfaces of the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in states 2910 or 3030to 3090, the first housing 110 may include a first housing body 2911 aand a first bezel 2901 a (or a first sub-housing). The first bezel 2901a may be disposed to surround a periphery of the first housing 110.According to various embodiments, the first bezel 2901 a may include afirst upper bezel 2911 (or a first upper sub-housing), a first sidebezel 2912 (or a first side sub-housing), and a first rear bezel 2913(or a first rear sub-housing).

The first upper bezel 2911 may be disposed to surround a periphery ofthe upper surface of the body of the first housing 110, on which thedisplay 50 is disposed. Alternatively, the first upper bezel 2911 may bedisposed to surround three peripheries (e.g., left and right peripheriesand an upper periphery with reference to the illustrated drawing) of thefour peripheries of the upper surface of the first housing body 2911 a.

The first side bezel 2912 may be disposed between the first upper bezel2911 and the first rear bezel 2913, and may be disposed to surroundthree side surfaces (e.g., the left and right surfaces, and the uppersurface with reference to the illustrated drawing) of the side surfacesof the first housing body 2911 a. In an unfolding state, in an area inwhich the first housing body 2911 a and the second housing body 2921 aface each other, only the first rear bezel 2913 may be disposed and theupper bezel or the first side bezel may be omitted.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in states 2910 or 3010to 3090, the second housing 120 may include a second housing body 2921 aand a second bezel 2901 b (or a second sub-housing). The second bezel2901 b may include a second upper bezel 2921 (or a second uppersub-housing), a second side bezel 2922 (or a second side sub-housing),and a second rear bezel 2923 (or a second rear sub-housing). The secondhousing 120 may be disposed at a location that is symmetrical to thefirst housing 110 positioned on the upper side of the second housing120, and may have a size and a shape that are similar to or the same asthose of the first housing 110. For example, the second upper bezel2921, the second side bezel 2922, and the second rear bezel 2923 mayhave locations that are symmetrical upwards and downwards to the firstupper bezel 2911, the first side bezel 2912, and the first rear bezel2913 with respect to the central portion 2951 of the foldable flexibledisplay device 2900 and may have the same shapes and sizes as those ofthe first upper bezel 2911, the first side bezel 2912, and the firstrear bezel 2913.

As illustrated in state 2930, the second type hinge housing 2950 mayinclude a half-pipe shaped hinge housing body 2901, and a firstperiphery 2902 and a second periphery 2903 extending leftwards andrightwards from opposite ends of the hinge housing body 2901 by aspecific length T1.

The first periphery 2902, for example, may include a first guide groove2902 b that guides a folding or unfolding operation of the first upperbezel 2911, and a first shield 2902 a protruding upwards (e.g., in adirection in which the display 50 is located) farther than a section ofthe hinge housing body 2901 by a specific height. The first guide groove2902 b may be a pot-shaped groove having an empty space from a peripheryto the inside thereof in relation to machining (e.g., CNC machining) Thefirst shield 2902 a may extend from a location of the hinge housing body2901 by a specific height (e.g., a height of the thickness of thedisplay 50 or more) in a direction that is perpendicular to the bottomsurface of the hinge housing body 2901.

The second periphery 2903 may have a location, a size, and a shape thatare symmetrical to the first periphery 2902. For example, the secondperiphery 2903 may include a second guide groove 2903 b and a secondshield 2903 a. The second guide groove 2903 b and the second shield 2903a may have a shape and a size that are the same as those of the firstguide groove 2902 b and the first shield 2902 a.

As illustrated in state 2955, the first side bezel 2912 and the secondside bezel 2922 may be disposed on a side surface of a periphery of thedisplay 50, and the first upper bezel 2911 and the second upper bezel2921 may be disposed on an upper surface of the periphery of the display50 while having specific widths. The widths of the first upper bezel2911 and the second upper bezel 2921 may be the same as or similar tothe width T1 of the first periphery 2902 or the second periphery 2903.

As illustrated in states 2955 and 3050, the first shield 2902 a and thesecond shield 2903 a may be disposed on the left and right peripheriesof the central portion of the display 50, respectively. In this regard,the first upper bezel 2911 may be provided with a first shield groove2913 a in which a portion of the first shield 2902 a is disposed, and asecond shield groove 2913 b in which a portion of the second shield 2903a is disposed. The first shield groove 2913 a and the second shieldgroove 2913 b, for example, may have L shapes that are disposed indifferent directions. The second upper bezel 2921 may be provided with athird shield groove 2923 a in which a portion of the first shield 2902 ais disposed, and a fourth shield groove 2923 b in which a portion of thesecond shield 2903 a is disposed. The third shield groove 2923 a and thefourth shield groove 2923 b, for example, may have L shapes that aredisposed in different directions.

As cutting line B-B′ of state 2955 cuts a rather lower side of thecentral portion of the foldable flexible display device 2900, asillustrated in state 2970, the second upper bezel 2921, the second sidebezel 2922, and the second rear bezel 2923 may appear. The first shield2902 a and the second shield 2903 a may be disposed at locations thatare spaced inwards apart from ends of the opposite peripheries 2902 and2903 by a specific length, respectively.

As illustrated in state 2990, the second upper bezel 2921, the secondside bezel 2922, and the second rear bezel 2923 are disposed to coverthe second periphery 2903, and the second shield 2903 a may protrudefrom the hinge housing body 2901 (or the upper surface of the secondperiphery 2903) by a specific height (e.g., the thickness of the display50).

FIG. 31 is a view illustrating folding states for specific angles of afoldable display device including a second type hinge housing accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 31 , as illustrated in state 3110, while the parts ofthe display 50 disposed on surfaces of the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120 face each other, the foldable flexible display device2900 may be in a folding state. When the foldable flexible displaydevice 2900 is in a folding state, the first upper bezel 2911 thatcovers at least a portion of a periphery of an upper surface of thefirst housing body 2911 a and the second upper bezel 2921 that covers atleast a portion of a periphery of an upper surface of the second housingbody 2921 a may face each other. In the folding state, the first rearbezel 2913 and the second rear bezel 2923 may be disposed to faceopposite directions. The first side bezel 2912 and the second side bezel2922 may be disposed in parallel to each other with reference to alongitudinal direction of the illustrated drawing. As the first housing110 and the second housing 120 face each other, at least a portion ofthe second type hinge housing 2950 may be disposed to be exposed to theoutside.

The first shield 2902 a or the second shield 2903 a may be disposed tocover the folding part 59 of the display 50. Although it is illustratedin the drawings that the first housing body 2911 a and the secondhousing body 2921 a may be observed from sides, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, when the side surfaces of the firsthousing body 2911 a and the second housing body 2921 a are observed fromthe outside if the foldable flexible display device 2900 is in a foldingstate, at least a portion of the side surfaces of the first housing body2911 a and the second housing body 2921 a may be covered by the firstside bezel 2912 and the second side bezel 2922, or the first rear bezel2913 or the second rear bezel 2923.

State 3130 illustrates the foldable flexible display device 2900 in afolding state, which is disposed to face the upper side with referenceto the drawing in which the first housing body 2911 a and the first rearbezel 2913 are illustrated. As illustrated, the first shield 2902 a maybe disposed to cover the folding part 59 of the display 50 from a sideof the foldable flexible display device 2900.

State 3150 illustrates the foldable flexible display device 2900 in afolding state, which is disposed to face the upper side with referenceto the drawing in which the second housing body 2921 a and the secondrear bezel 2923 are illustrated. As illustrated, the second shield 2903a may be disposed to cover the folding part 59 of the display 50 from aside of the foldable flexible display device 2900.

State 3170 illustrates a rear surface of the foldable flexible displaydevice 2900 (e.g., a front surface of the second type hinge housing2950) in a folding state, to which the second type hinge housing 2950 isapplied. As illustrated, the foldable flexible display device 2900 in afolding state may be disposed such that an outer surface of the secondtype hinge housing 2950 is exposed to the outside while the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 are folded.

FIG. 32 is a view illustrating an example of a foldable display deviceincluding a third type hinge housing according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure. FIG. 33 is a view illustrating a central portion of afoldable display device including a second type hinge housing accordingto various embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 34 is a view illustratingan unfolding state of a foldable display device including a second typehinge housing according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 32 , state 3210 corresponds to a view illustrating afront surface of the foldable flexible display device 3200 in anunfolding state. State 3230 corresponds to a view illustrating anexample of a third type hinge housing 3250 of the foldable flexibledisplay device 3200. Referring to FIG. 33 , state 3310 corresponds to anenlarged view illustrating an example of a central portion 3251 in state3210. State 3330 corresponds to a view illustrating an example of asection taken along line C-C′ in state 3310. State 3350 corresponds to aview illustrating a right periphery of state 3310. Referring to FIG. 34, state 3410 is a perspective view of a first angle (e.g., an angle atwhich the front surface of the foldable flexible display device 3200 isvisible) of the foldable flexible display device 3200 in an unfoldingstate. State 3430 corresponds to a front view of the foldable flexibledisplay device 3200. State 3450 corresponds to a rear view of thefoldable flexible display device 3200.

Referring to FIGS. 32 to 34 , the foldable flexible display device 3200may have a state in which the first housing 110 and the second housing120 are unfolded as illustrated in state 3210. Alternatively, accordingto various embodiments, as described above with reference to FIG. 31 ,the display 50 may be in a folding state in which a portion of thedisplay 50 positioned on the first housing 110 and a portion of thedisplay positioned on the second housing 120 face each other.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in state 3450 of FIG.34 , the first housing 110 may include a first housing body 3211 a and afirst bezel 3201 a. The first bezel 3201 a may be disposed to surround aperiphery of the first housing 110. The first housing body 3211 a mayhave a shape that is the same as or similar to that of the first housingbody 2911 a described with reference to FIG. 29 or 30 . According tovarious embodiments, as illustrated in state 3330 of FIG. 33 or state3450 of FIG. 34 , the first bezel 3201 a may include a first upper bezel3211, a first side bezel 3212, and a first rear bezel 3213. Thestructure may be similar to or the same as the first bezel structuredescribed with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30 .

According to various embodiments, the remaining bezels (e.g., the firstside bezel 3212 and the first rear bezel 3213) of the first bezel 3201a, except for the first upper bezel 3211, may be the same as or similarto the first side bezel 2912 and the first rear bezel 2913 describedwith reference to FIG. 29 or 30 . The first upper bezel 3211 may have athickness that is relatively thinner than the first upper bezel 2911described with reference to FIG. 29 or 30 .

As illustrated in state 3330 or 3450, the second housing 120 may includea second housing body 3221 a and a second bezel 3201 b. The secondhousing body 3221 a and the remaining bezels (e.g., the second sidebezel 3222 and the second rear bezel 3223) of the second bezel 3201 b,except for the second upper bezel 3221, may have a shape that is thesame as or similar to the first bezel 2901 a, and the second side bezel2922 and the second rear bezel 2923 described above with reference toFIG. 29 or 30 .

As illustrated in state 3210, at least one camera housing 3273 may bedisposed on one side of the second upper bezel 3221. The camera housing3273, for example, may be disposed to surround a peripheral part of atleast one camera 3270 disposed on one side. The camera housing 3273 maybe used to defense a physical force or the like that is applied to thecamera 3270.

State 3230 is a view illustrating an example of the third type hingehousing 3250. The third type hinge housing 3250 may be disposed at acentral portion 3251 of the foldable flexible display device 3200, andmay be disposed on the rear surface of the display 50. The third typehinge housing 3250 may include a half-pipe type hinge housing body 3201,and a first side wall 3202 and a second side wall 3203 provided atopposite ends of the hinge housing body 3201, and may include a firstshield 3202 a disposed inside the first side wall 3202 and a secondshield 3203 a disposed inside the second side wall 3203. The firstshield 3202 a and the second shield 3203 a may protrude upwards fartherthan the upper surface of the hinge housing body 3201 by a specificheight (e.g., a height of the thickness of the display or more). Thefirst side wall 3202 and the second side wall 3203, for example, may beprovided with a guide groove 3203 b. The guide groove 3203 b may guidesides of the first bezel 3201 a and the second bezel 3201 b while thefoldable flexible display device 3200 performs a folding operation or anunfolding operation. Although only a shape in which the guide groove3203 b is disposed in the second side wall 3203 is illustrated in thedrawing, a guide groove having the same shape may be provided in thefirst side wall 3202.

According to various embodiments, in an unfolding state of the foldableflexible display device 3200 as illustrated in state 3310, a firstshield groove 3213 a (e.g., a groove of the grooves obtained by cuttingaway a tip end of the first upper bezel 3211 in L shape, which isdisposed on the left side) and a second shield groove 3213 b (e.g., agroove provided at a right tip end of the first upper bezel 3211 in aninverse L shape) may be disposed on opposite sides of the first upperbezel 3211, which face the second upper bezel 3221. Similarly, a thirdshield groove 3223 a and a fourth shield groove 3223 b may be disposedon opposite sides of the second upper bezel 3221, which face the firstupper bezel 3211. The first to fourth shield grooves 3213 a, 3213 b,3223 a, and 3223 b may function to smoothly perform a folding orunfolding operation by preventing the bezel and the shields 3202 a and3203 a from overlapping each other while the first housing 110 and thesecond housing 120 performs a folding or unfolding operation.

State 3330 corresponds to a sectional view taken along line C-C′, andstate 3350 corresponds to a view illustrating an example of one side ofa right periphery in state 3330. The first upper bezel 3211 and thesecond upper bezel 3221 may be located at opposite peripheries of thedisplay 50, and the first side bezel 3212 and the second side bezel 3222may be located on a side surface of the foldable flexible display device3200. For example, the first housing body 3211 a and the second housingbody 3221 a may be disposed on the rear surface of the foldable flexibledisplay device 3200, and the first rear bezel 3213 may be disposed at aleft periphery of the first housing body 3211 a. The second rear bezel3233 may be disposed at a right periphery of the second housing body3221 a. The second shield 3203 a may be disposed between the rightperiphery of the display 50 and the second upper bezel 3221. The heightof the second shield 3203 a, for example, may be larger than thethickness of the display 50. According to various embodiments, the uppersurface of the second display 50 and the upper surface of the secondshield 3203 a may be successively disposed with respect to a transversehorizontal line. According to various embodiments, the upper surface ofthe display 50, and the upper surface of the second shield 3203 a andthe upper surface of the second upper bezel 3221 may be disposed to besubstantially successive (or without a protuberance of a separateconfiguration).

Referring to FIG. 34 , the first housing 110 and the second housing 120may be disposed in the foldable flexible display device 3200, thedisplay 50 may be disposed on the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120, and the first housing 110 and the second housing 120 may bein a folding or unfolding state with reference to an imaginarytransverse center line.

The first housing 110 may include a first housing body 3211 a, a firstupper bezel 3211, and a first side bezel 3212. Additionally oralternatively, the first housing 110 may further include a first rearbezel as described above with reference to FIG. 33 . The second housing120 may include a second housing body 3221 a, a second upper bezel 3221,and a second side bezel 3222. Additionally or alternatively, the secondhousing 120 may further include a second rear bezel as described abovewith reference to FIG. 33 . The first shield 3202 a and the secondshield 3203 a may be disposed in areas corresponding to oppositeperipheries of the central portion of the display 50. The camera housing3273 may be disposed on one side of the second housing 120, and thecamera 3270 may be disposed inside the camera housing 3273. The camerahousing 3273 may protrude from one side of the second housing 120 towardthe inside of the display 50.

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable display deviceincluding a third type hinge housing applied according to variousembodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective viewof a foldable display device including third type hinge housingaccording to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 35 and 36 , the foldable flexible display device 3200may include a first housing 110 and a second housing 120, a first rearplate 3211 c and a second rear plate 3221 c, a hinge housing 3250, ahinge structure 300, and hinge covers 3501 and 3502.

The first housing 110, for example, may include a first bezel 3201 a anda first housing body 3211 a. Alternatively, according to variousembodiments, the first housing 110 may be formed only with a firsthousing body 3211 a without using a configuration of a first bezel 3201a. The second housing 120, for example, may include a second bezel 3201b and a second housing body 3221 a. According to various embodiments,the second housing 120 may be formed only with a second housing body3221 a without using a configuration of a second bezel 3201 b. The firsthousing body 3211 a and the second housing body 3221 a may be coupled toeach other by the hinge structure 300. The hinge structure 300 may bepositioned inside the hinge housing 3250. The hinge covers 3501 and 3502may be disposed to cover the upper surface of the hinge structure 300positioned in the hinge housing 3250. The first rear plate 3211 c may befixed to the rear surface of the first housing body 3211 a. The secondrear plate 3221 c may be fixed to the rear surface of the second housingbody 3221 a.

Referring to FIG. 36 , as described with reference to FIG. 35 , thefoldable flexible display device 3200 may be disposed such that thehinge covers 3501 and 3502 cover the hinge housing in which the hingestructure 300 is positioned. The hinge covers 3501 and 3502 may includea first hinge cover 3501 located close to the first housing body 3211 aand a second hinge cover 3502 located close to the second housing body3221 a.

According to various embodiments, the rear panel 3604 may be disposedbetween the display 50 and the housings 110 and 120. The rear panel 3604may include a first rear panel 3604 disposed between an upper area ofthe display 50 and the first housing body 3211 a, and a second rearpanel 3604 disposed between a lower area of the display 50 and thesecond housing body 3221 a. The first rear panel 3604 and the secondrear panel 3604 may be separated from each other such that the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 may be in a folding or unfoldingstate. The rear panel 3604, for example, may include a heat dissipatingplate that dissipates heat of the display 50, an impact absorbing layer(or an embossing layer or a cushion layer) that absorbs or disperses anexternal force, a bonding layer that fixes the display 50 onto thehousings 110 and 120, and at least one of a reflective layer thatincreases the reflection efficiency of light generated by the display 50or a black layer for improving visibility. Alternatively, according tovarious embodiments, the rear panel 3604 may include an electromagneticinduction panel that supports an input by a stylus pen. Additionally oralternatively, at least one camera may be disposed on sides of thehousings 110 and 120, and the foldable flexible display device 3200 mayinclude at least one camera housing 3273 related to protection of thecamera. One side of the bezel of the camera housing 3273 may bemodified. The first shield 3202 a and the second shield 3203 a forpreventing expose of the folding part of the display 50 may be disposedat opposite peripheries of the hinge housing, in which the hingestructure 300 is positioned.

FIG. 37 is a view illustrating an example of a foldable display deviceincluding an impact absorbing part according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 37 , the foldable flexible display device 3700according to various embodiments may include a first housing 110 and asecond housing 120, and may be in an unfolding state as illustrated instate 3710 or a folding state as illustrated in state 3730 withreference to a transverse line of the central portion of the foldableflexible display device 3700. The display 50 may be disposed on thefirst housing 110 and the second housing 120. At least one camera 3770and at least one camera housing 3773 that surrounds the at least onecamera 3770 may be disposed on at least one side of the first housing110 and the second housing 120. The hinge housing 3750 may be disposedbetween the first housing 110 and the second housing 120. The hingehousing 3750 may be of any one type of the first type hinge housing, thesecond type hinge housing, or the third type hinge housing, which havebeen described above. The first shield 3702 a or the second shield 3703a may be disposed at two peripheries opposite to each other (orlocations corresponding to two peripheries opposite to each other, ofthe central portion of the display 50) of the hinge housing 3750. Thefirst shield 3702 a or the second shield 3703 a may function to preventthe folding part of the display 50 from being exposed to the outsidewhen the display 50 is in a folding state.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the first housing 110or the second housing 120 may include a first bezel 3711 or a secondbezel 3721. At least one cushion part 3701 may be disposed on one sideof the first bezel 3711. According to various embodiments, the cushionpart 3701 may be disposed on one side of the second bezel 3721 (e.g., ata location corresponding to the cushion part 3701 located on the firstbezel 3711). Alternatively, the cushion part may be disposed in at leastone of the first bezel 3711 or the second bezel 3721. The cushion part3701 may absorb an impact when the first bezel 3711 and the second bezel3721 contact each other while the first housing 110 and the secondhousing 120 are folded.

FIG. 38 is a view illustrating an example of a foldable display devicehaving a shield structure according to various embodiments of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 38 , state 3810 corresponds to a view illustrating afront surface of the foldable flexible display device 3800 in anunfolding state. State 3830 corresponds to a view illustrating anexample of a right central portion of the foldable flexible displaydevice 3800. State 3855 corresponds to a view illustrating an example ofan area in which the shield 3880 of the foldable flexible display device3800 in an unfolding state is disposed. State 3870 corresponds to anexample of a perspective view illustrating a side surface of thefoldable flexible display device 3800 in a folding state. State 3890corresponds to a view illustrating an example of a side surface of thefoldable flexible display device 3800 in a folding state.

Referring to FIG. 38 , the foldable flexible display device 3800according to an embodiment may include a first housing 110 and a secondhousing 120, and the first housing 110 may include a first bezel 3811and a second bezel 3821. The first bezel 3811, for example, may includea first side bezel 3811 a and a first upper bezel 3811 b. The secondbezel 3821, for example, may include a second side bezel 3821 a and asecond upper bezel 3821 b. According to various embodiments, the firsthousing 110 may further include a first rear surface 3811 d, and thesecond housing 120 may further include a second rear surface 3821 d.

The foldable flexible display device 3800 may include a hinge housing3850, in which a hinge structure 300 that connects the first housing 110and the second housing 120 is positioned. The foldable flexible displaydevice 3800 may include a shield 3880 that connects the first bezel 3811and the second bezel 3821. One side of the shield 3880 may be connectedto the first upper bezel 3811 b, and the other side opposite to said oneside of the shield 3880 may be connected to the second upper bezel 3821b. The shield 3880 may have a multi joint structure including aplurality of joints. In a state in which the foldable flexible displaydevice 3800 is unfolded as illustrated in state 3810, 3830, or 3855, aplurality of joints may be disposed in the shield 3880 in parallel.Here, a first joint of the plurality of joints may be fixed to one sideof the first upper bezel 3811 b, a second joint of the plurality ofjoints may be fixed to one side of the second upper bezel 3821 b, andthe remaining joints may be disposed between the first joint and thesecond joint. The first joint and the second joint which have beenmentioned above, for example, may be fixed to the first side bezel 3811a and the second side bezel 3821 a.

In a state in which the foldable flexible display device 3800 is foldedas illustrated in state 3870 or 3890, the shield 3880 may be disposedsuch that at least one joint forms a specific angle (e.g., 90 degrees)with another joint. Although a multi joint structure to which fourwheels are connected (e.g., the first wheel of the four wheels (or thefirst joint of the plurality of joints, which is located first) isconnected to the first bezel, the last fourth wheel (or the fourth jointof the plurality of joints, which is located last) is connected to thesecond bezel, and the remaining wheels are connected to peripheralwheels through at least one link (or at least one joint)) has beenexemplified in the illustrated drawing, the disclosure is not limitedthereto. The number of the shields 3880 may vary according to the numberof wheels. For example, the foldable flexible display device 3800 mayhave wheels (or joints), the number of which is smaller (e.g., three) orlarger than (e.g., five or more) the current number of wheels (joints).

As illustrated in state 3870 or 3890, in a folding state of the foldableflexible display device 3800, the shield 3880 disposed between the firsthousing 110 and the second housing 120 may prevent the folding part ofthe display 50 from being exposed to the outside.

FIG. 39 is a view illustrating another example of a foldable displaydevice having a shield structure according to various embodiments of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 39 , state 3910 corresponds to a view illustrating afront surface of the foldable flexible display device 3900 in anunfolding state. State 3930 corresponds to a view illustrating anexample of a right central portion of the foldable flexible displaydevice 3900. State 3955 corresponds to a view illustrating an example ofan area in which the shield 3980 of the foldable flexible display device3900 in an unfolding state is disposed. State 3970 corresponds to anexample of a perspective view illustrating a side surface of thefoldable flexible display device 3900 in a folding state. State 3990corresponds to a view illustrating an example of a side surface of thefoldable flexible display device 3900 in a folding state.

Referring to FIG. 39 , as illustrated in state 3910, the foldableflexible display device 3900 according to an embodiment may include afirst housing 110 and a second housing 120, and a hinge housing 3950 inwhich a hinge structure 300 disposed between the first housing 110 andthe second housing 120 is disposed. According to various embodiments,the first housing 110 or the second housing 120 may include a firstbezel 3911 or a second bezel 3921. For example, as illustrated in state3930, the first bezel 3911 may include a first side bezel 3911 a and afirst upper bezel 3911 b, and the second bezel 3921 may include a secondside bezel 3921 a and a second upper bezel 3921 b. A shield 3980 thatconnects one side of the first upper bezel 3911 b and one side of thesecond upper bezel 3921 b may be disposed in the foldable flexibledisplay device 3900. The shield 3980, for example, may include a firstshaft 3980 a, to which the first upper bezel 3911 b is connected to behinge-operated, a second shaft 3980 b, to which the second upper bezel3921 b is connected to be hinge-operated, and a panel 3980 c thatconnects the first shaft 3980 a and the second shaft 3980 b. A firstshield groove 3911 c (e.g., a groove that is cut in L shape) may beformed on one side of the first upper bezel 3911 b of the area in whichthe shield 3980 is disposed. Similarly, a second shield groove 3921 cmay be formed on one side of the second upper bezel 3921 b that isadjacent to an area in which the shield 3980 is disposed.

The height of the panel 3980 c may be the thickness of the display 50 ormore. The shields 3980 may be disposed at opposite peripheries of thedisplay 50 with respect to a central portion of the display 50. In theillustrated drawing, state 3910, 3930, and 3955 illustrate an unfoldingstate of the foldable flexible display device 3900. States 3970 and 3990illustrate a folding state of the foldable flexible display device 3900.The shields 3980 may be disposed such that the folding part of thedisplay 50 is not exposed to the outside in a folding state of thefoldable flexible display device 3900.

Each of the elements (e.g., a module or a program) according to variousembodiments may include a single or a plurality of entities, and some ofthe corresponding sub-elements may be omitted or another sub-element maybe further included in various embodiments. Alternatively oradditionally, some elements (e.g., a module or a program) may beintegrated into one entity to perform functions performed by thecorresponding elements before the integration in the same way orsimilarly. The operations performed by a module, a program module, oranother element according to various embodiments may be executedsequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or at leastsome operations may be executed in another sequence or may be omitted,or another operation may be added.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference tovarious embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as definedby the claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable communication device comprising: ahousing including a first housing and a second housing; a flexibledisplay accommodated in the housing such that a first display portionand a second display portion of the flexible display are disposed in thefirst housing and the second housing, respectively; and a hingestructure coupled to the first housing and the second housing, the hingestructure including: a first shaft configured to rotate about a firstaxis, a second shaft configured to rotate about a second axis differentfrom the first axis, a bracket including a first curved guide groove anda second curved guide groove formed therein, a first rotational membercoupled with the bracket such that the first rotational member isconfigured to rotate about a third axis different from each of the firstand second axes by at least a part of an outer surface of the firstrotational member sliding along the first curved guide groove as thefirst shaft rotates about the first axis, and a second rotational membercoupled with the bracket such that the second rotational member isconfigured to rotate about a fourth axis different from each of thefirst, second and third axes by at least part of an outer surface of thesecond rotational member sliding along the second curved guide groove asthe second shaft rotates about the second axis, wherein at least part ofa third display portion of the flexible display between the firstdisplay portion and the second display portion is configured to be bentas the first rotational member rotates about the third axis and thesecond rotational member rotates about the fourth axis.
 2. The portablecommunication device of claim 1, wherein a first distance between thethird axis and the fourth axis is shorter than a second distance betweenthe first axis and the second axis.
 3. The portable communication deviceof claim 1, wherein a shortest distance from the third axis to an uppersurface of the flexible display is shorter than a shortest distance fromthe first axis to the upper surface of the flexible display, when theportable communication device is fully unfolded.
 4. The portablecommunication device of claim 1, further comprising: a hinge housingcoupled to the bracket and accommodating at least part of the hingestructure.
 5. The portable communication device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a plate in contact with a substantially entire area of arear surface of the flexible display, a central portion of the plateincluding a patterned-hole area formed therein such that thepatterned-hole area is bent and unbent along with the third displayportion as the portable communication device is folded and unfolded,respectively.
 6. The portable communication device of claim 1, whereinthe first axis is internal to the first shaft and the second axis isinternal to the second shaft, and the third axis is external to thefirst rotational member and the fourth axis is external to the secondrotational member.
 7. The portable communication device of claim 6,wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is adjacent to thethird display portion between the first display portion and the seconddisplay portion of the flexible display.
 8. The portable communicationdevice of claim 1, wherein the hinge structure includes: a third shaftconfigured to rotate about a fifth axis internal to the third shaft andsubstantially parallel with the first axis and the third axis as thefirst shaft rotates about the first axis; and a fourth shaft andconfigured to rotate about sixth axis internal to the fourth shaft andsubstantially parallel with the fifth axis as the second shaft rotatesabout the second axis.
 9. The portable communication device of claim 8,wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are close to the flexibledisplay than the fifth axis and the sixth axis, respectively.
 10. Theportable communication device of claim 1, wherein each of the third axisand the fourth axis is inside a hinge housing when viewed from above theflexible display.
 11. The portable communication device of claim 1,further comprising: a first front bracket coupled to the first housingand the first rotational member; and a second front bracket coupled tothe second housing and the second rotational member.
 12. A portablecommunication device comprising: a housing including a first housing anda second housing; a flexible display accommodated in the housing suchthat a first display portion and a second display portion of theflexible display are disposed in the first housing and the secondhousing, respectively; and a hinge structure coupled to the firsthousing and the second housing, the hinge structure including: a firstshaft configured to rotate about a first axis, a second shaft configuredto rotate about a second axis different from the first axis, a firstcenter bracket including a first curved guide groove formed therein, asecond center bracket including a second curved guide groove formedtherein, a first rotational member coupled with the first housing andwith the first center bracket such that the first rotational member isconfigured to rotate about a third axis different from each of the firstand second axes by at least a part of an outer surface of the firstrotational member sliding along the first curved guide groove as thefirst shaft rotates about the first axis, and a second rotational membercoupled with the second housing and with the second center bracket suchthat the second rotational member is configured to rotate about a fourthaxis different from each of the first, second and third axes by at leastpart of an outer surface of the second rotational member sliding alongthe second curved guide groove as the second shaft rotates about thesecond axis, wherein at least part of a third display portion of theflexible display between the first display portion and the seconddisplay portion is configured to be bent as the first rotational memberrotates about the third axis and the second rotational member rotatesabout the fourth axis.
 13. The portable communication device of claim12, wherein a first distance between the third axis and the fourth axisis shorter than a second distance between the first axis and the secondaxis.
 14. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein ashortest distance from the third axis to an upper surface of theflexible display is shorter than a shortest distance from the first axisto the upper surface of the flexible display, when the portablecommunication device is fully unfolded.
 15. The portable communicationdevice of claim 12, wherein a hinge housing accommodates at least partof the first rotational member and at least part of the secondrotational member.
 16. The portable communication device of claim 12,further comprising: a plate in contact with a substantially entire areaof a rear surface of the flexible display, a central portion of theplate including a patterned-hole area formed therein such that thepatterned-hole area is bent and unbent along with the third displayportion as the portable communication device is folded and unfolded,respectively.
 17. The portable communication device of claim 12, whereinthe first axis is internal to the first shaft and the second axis isinternal to the second shaft, and the third axis is external to thefirst rotational member and the fourth axis is external to the secondrotational member.
 18. The portable communication device of claim 17,wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axis is adjacent to thethird display portion between the first display portion and the seconddisplay portion of the flexible display.
 19. The portable communicationdevice of claim 12, wherein each of the third axis and the fourth axisis inside a hinge housing when viewed from above the flexible display.20. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising: afirst front bracket coupled to the first housing and the firstrotational member; and a second front bracket coupled to the secondhousing and the second rotational member.